What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
effect
Example
The effect of the medicine was immediate. [effect: noun]
Example
The loud music had an effect on my concentration. [effect: noun]
Example
The new policy will effect changes in the company. [effect: verb]
result
Example
The result of the experiment was inconclusive. [result: noun]
Example
The team's hard work resulted in a successful project. [resulted: past tense verb]
Example
What is the result of this equation? [result: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Result is more commonly used than effect in everyday language. Result is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while effect is less common and more specific to describing the impact or influence of something.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between effect and result?
Both effect and result can be used in formal and informal contexts, but effect may be more commonly used in academic or technical writing due to its specific meaning related to cause and effect relationships.