The word affect gets confusing when you read that dictionaries sometimes define it as “having an effect on someone.” Too much confusion! Have a look at the examples below to wrap your mind around the meaning and uses of “affect.”
Verb
Rules
- When used as a verb, affect means, “to influence”.
- It can also mean, “to act in a way you don’t necessarily feel”.
Examples
- “The dirty seats affected John’s new pants.”
- “Patty affected a cold attitude when she ran into her ex-boyfriend.”
Noun
Rules
- Affect is only used as a noun when referring to scientific jargon used by psychologists. Scientists and psychologists can also use affect as an adjective.
- As a noun, affect means, “an emotion”.
- As an adjective, affective means, “related to moods, feelings or emotions”.
Examples
- “Since his mother died, Jessie has displayed a depressed affect.”
- “Carmen is studying affective behaviors in traumatized animals.”
