What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
affect
Example
The news of her friend's death deeply affected her. [affect: verb]
Example
The weather affected his mood and made him feel gloomy. [affected: past participle]
Example
The new policy will affect the company's profits. [affect: verb]
influence
Example
Her parents' values had a strong influence on her upbringing. [influence: noun]
Example
The celebrity's endorsement influenced many people to buy the product. [influenced: past tense]
Example
The teacher's guidance influenced the student's career path. [influence: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Influence is more commonly used than affect in everyday language. Influence is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while affect is less common and is primarily used in psychology and medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between affect and influence?
Both affect and influence can be used in formal and informal contexts, but affect may be perceived as more technical or specialized due to its usage in psychology and medical fields.
