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Difficult English Words

Affect / Effect

"Affect" and "effect" are two words which have a similar or identical pronunciation in spoken English, but have different meanings when used correctly in written English. "Affect' is most commonly used as a verb and means "to influence or change" or "arouse feelings". The word "affect" is rarely used as a noun and when it is it is in a fairly narrow field of psychology in connection with emotional states. In contrast to "affect", the word "effect" is most often used as a noun. "Effect" as a noun means "a result". "Effect" is rarely used as a verb and means to make something happen.

Now test your own knowledge of the use of "affect'' and "effect":

The prisoners - - - - - - - - effected an escape.

His words - - - - - - - - affected me greatly.

She had been deeply - - - - - - - - affected by her parents' divorce.

Any change in temperature will have an - - - - - - - - effect on the plants.

Polish companies were suffering the adverse - - - - - - - - effects of joining the European Union.

I didn't like the acting in the film but the special - - - - - - - - effects were great.

Dictionary reference for the word 'affect'.

Cambridge University Dictionary - affect

Dictionary reference for the word 'effect'.

Oxford University Dictionary - effect

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