Why "affects of" affects your grammar: common error explained

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 30/09/2024, 21:38

English.me team member

What kind of error is it?

Affects of or effects of. What's correct?

It's a grammatical error involving the misuse of the noun "affects" instead of the correct noun "effects".

Why do people make this mistake?

People often confuse "affect" and "effect" because they sound similar. "Affect" is typically a verb meaning to influence something, while "effect" is a noun meaning the result or outcome of an influence.

What is correct?

The correct phrase is "effects of", using the noun "effects" to indicate the results or consequences of something.

Examples of correct usage

The effects of climate change are becoming more evident each year.
We need to study the effects of the new law on small businesses.
Doctors are researching the effects of the medication on patients.