affect

To change something or influence what happens to someone.

• The weather can affect your mood.
• The delay affected everyone on the train.
• Will the new rules affect small businesses?

Similar words: influence, change

Common phrases: affect someone, affect something, affect the outcome

To cause someone to feel a strong emotion, especially sadness.

• The sad story affected me deeply.
• His death affected everyone who knew him.
• Were you affected by the final scene?

How to use it: be affected by something (She was deeply affected by the film.)

Similar words: move, touch

Common phrases: deeply affect someone, affect someone emotionally, affect someone profoundly

To deliberately speak or behave in a way that is not natural for you.

• He tried to affect a local accent.
• She affected a relaxed manner during the interview.
• They affect indifference whenever money is mentioned.

Similar words: put on, assume, feign

Common phrases: affect an accent, affect a manner, affect indifference, affect surprise

A feeling or emotional reaction, especially as shown through a person’s face or behaviour.

• The patient showed little affect.
• Her voice and affect changed during the interview.
• The researchers measured positive affect after exercise.

Similar words: emotion, feeling

Common phrases: flat affect, positive affect, emotional affect, negative affect