What's the difference between 'affect' and 'effect'?

These two words are often confused because they are closely related and have very similar spelling.

So to begin with we need to be clear that the word 'affect' is a verb and only ever a verb, whereas 'effect' can be a verb but is usually a noun. To help make the matter clearer, here are the definitions of the words.

Affect - Verb = To produce or influence a change in something. To act upon (action)
Effect - Noun = The change produced (result)

So when you affect something you produce an effect. Below are some examples of the words in use.


The beneficial effects of exercise are well known. (The beneficial results of exercise are well known)

What is the effect of eating too much? (What are the results of eating too much?)

I want to affect a change in my life. (I want to produce changes in my life.)

I want to affect the effect. (I want to influence the result.)

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What's the difference between 'Parallel to' and 'Parallel with'?

English speakers are often not aware that there is any difference and think of the expressions as two ways of saying the same thing. However, the preposition 'to' signifies approach and as soon as two lines approach each other they are no longer parallel. The correct way to this is to say that two lines are parallel with each other.

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