What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
affective
Example
The movie had a strong affective impact on the audience. [affective: adjective]
Example
She was very affective in her speech, moving many to tears. [affective: adverb]
subjective
Example
Art is a subjective experience, with each person having their own interpretation. [subjective: adjective]
Example
His review was very subjective, reflecting his personal preferences rather than objective analysis. [subjective: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Subjective is more commonly used than affective in everyday language. Subjective is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while affective is more specialized and often used in academic or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between affective and subjective?
Both affective and subjective can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, affective may be perceived as more technical or specialized due to its association with psychology and neuroscience.