Use “affected by” most of the time.
- Affected by = influenced or changed (verb).
- Effected by = brought about or caused (verb, rare).
👉 Rule to remember:
If something is changed, it is affected.
If something is created or caused, it is effected.
Many people struggle with affected by or effected by because the words look similar and sound almost the same. Even advanced English speakers mix them up. The good news? The difference is actually very simple once you see it clearly.
In this easy guide, you’ll learn:
- What affected and effected really mean
- How to use each one correctly in sentences
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Simple memory tricks that even a 4th-grade student can remember
By the end, you’ll feel confident using affected by or effected by in school, exams, emails, and everyday writing.
What Does “Affected By” Mean?
Affected comes from the verb affect.
It usually means influenced, changed, or touched by something.
Part of Speech
- Affected = verb (past tense of affect)
Simple Meaning
If something affected you, it had an impact on you.
Easy Examples
- The weather affected our picnic plans.
- Her mood was affected by lack of sleep.
- The exam results affected his confidence.
Simple Story
Imagine rain starts suddenly. Your clothes get wet.
👉 The rain affected your clothes.
It changed them.
What Does “Effected By” Mean?
Effected comes from the verb effect.
It means to cause something to happen or to bring about a result.
Part of Speech
- Effected = verb (past tense of effect)
Simple Meaning
If something was effected, it was created or made to happen.
Easy Examples
- The new law effected major changes.
- The manager effected a new policy.
- The plan was effected after months of work.
Simple Story
You push a button, and the light turns on.
👉 You effected the change.
The Key Difference Between Affected By or Effected By
Here’s a clear, side-by-side comparison to make it easy:
| Feature | Affected By | Effected By |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Influenced or changed | Caused or brought about |
| How common | Very common | Rare |
| What it answers | “Did it change something?” | “Did it cause something?” |
| Example | He was affected by stress. | The rule was effected by the board. |
Quick Tip to Remember
- Affect = Impact
- Effect = Create
If you’re unsure, affected by is almost always the right choice.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
❌ Mistake 1
The decision was effected by the weather.
✅ Correct:
The decision was affected by the weather.
Why?
The weather influenced the decision. It didn’t create it.
❌ Mistake 2
His grades were effected by stress.
✅ Correct:
His grades were affected by stress.
Why?
Stress changed his grades. It did not cause grades to exist.
❌ Mistake 3
The teacher affected a new rule.
✅ Correct:
The teacher effected a new rule.
Why?
The teacher caused the rule to happen.
When to Use “Affected By”

Use affected by when something is changed, influenced, or impacted.
Real-Life Situations
- School
- Health
- Weather
- Emotions
- Daily events
Clear Examples
- My sleep was affected by noise.
- The plants were affected by heat.
- His work was affected by stress.
- Attendance was affected by rain.
- The game was affected by bad weather.
👉 If you can replace it with changed by, affected by is correct.
When to Use “Effected By”
Use effected by only when something is caused or brought into action.
Real-Life Situations
- Rules
- Laws
- Plans
- Big changes
Clear Examples
- The change was effected by the government.
- The plan was effected by teamwork.
- The system update was effected by engineers.
- The reform was effected by new leadership.
Memory Hack
Effected = Executed
Both start with E.
Quick Recap: Affected By vs Effected By
- Affected by = influenced or changed
- Effected by = caused or created
- Affected by is used most of the time
- Effected by is rare and formal
👉 When in doubt, choose affected by.
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Advanced Tips (For Extra Confidence)
Word Origins (Simple)
- Affect comes from Latin afficere (to influence)
- Effect comes from Latin efficere (to accomplish)
In Exams and Formal Writing
Teachers and examiners expect:
- Affected by in most sentences
- Effected by only when talking about causing change
In Texting and Online Writing
Using effected by incorrectly can confuse readers and make writing seem unclear. Stick to affected by unless you’re 100% sure.
Mini Quiz: Test Yourself
Fill in the blanks with affected by or effected by.
- The flight was ________ bad weather.
- Her health was ________ stress.
- The policy change was ________ the new manager.
- The event was ________ rain.
- The reform was ________ strong leadership.
- His studies were ________ lack of sleep.
Quiz Answers
- affected by
- affected by
- effected by
- affected by
- effected by
- affected by
FAQs
1. Is “affected by” more common than “effected by”?
Yes. Affected by is far more common and correct in most situations.
2. Can “effected by” ever be correct?
Yes, but only when you mean caused or brought about.
3. Is “affected” always a verb?
Mostly yes. It describes being influenced.
4. How can I remember the difference easily?
Affect = Impact, Effect = Create.
5. What should I use if I’m unsure?
Use affected by. It’s correct in most cases.
Conclusion
Understanding affected by or effected by doesn’t have to be hard. Remember:
- Affected by means influenced or changed
- Effected by means caused or created
Most of the time, affected by is the right choice. With the simple rules, examples, and memory tricks in this guide, you can now use both confidently. Keep practicing, read your sentences aloud, and trust your learning.
Improving English is a journey—one clear step at a time. 🌟

Mira Loxley is a passionate language and writing expert at Definevs.com, turning tricky words and grammar into clear, engaging guides for every reader.








