Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon
The University of Otago is launching a new brand. Find out more
Skip to main content Skip to side navigation

As verbs, effect means to bring about, or to have the result that, while affect means to have an impact on or to change something.

  • The new manager effected changes in the department.
  • The weather will affect the number of people walking today.

As nouns, effect means the impact something causes, while affect means the outward appearance of someone's psychological state.

  • What effect did the loss have on the team?
  • The woman took the bad news with little affect.

About the Writing Style Guide

This guide is designed to help ensure writing style – whether for internal or external audiences, written for print or online – is consistent and maintains a professional standard across the University. It is not designed for academic writing.

Feedback

Please send any feedback – including reports of errors or requests for changes – to writing.style@otago.ac.nz

Back to top