What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prepossess
Example
The candidate's impressive resume prepossessed the hiring manager. [prepossess: verb]
Example
Her charming personality prepossessed everyone she met. [prepossessed: past participle]
affect
Example
The pandemic affected the economy in many ways. [affect: verb]
Example
The sad news affected her deeply. [affected: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Affect is more commonly used than prepossess in everyday language. Affect is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while prepossess is less common and refers to a specific type of influence.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prepossess and affect?
Prepossess is typically associated with a more formal tone, while affect can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.