How to Pronounce Affect vs Effect

"affect" and "effect" are pronounced differently. "affect" is uh-FEKT (/əˈfɛkt/); "effect" is ih-FEKT (/ɪˈfɛkt/). Only the first vowel differs: affect starts with a relaxed "uh" (schwa); effect starts with a short "ih".

🔀 Different pronunciation

affect

/əˈfɛkt/

Say it like: uh-FEKT

affect

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Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Full pronunciation page for “affect” →

effect

/ɪˈfɛkt/

Say it like: ih-FEKT

effect

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Full pronunciation page for “effect” →

Frequently asked questions

Are "affect" and "effect" pronounced the same?

No. "affect" is uh-FEKT (/əˈfɛkt/) and "effect" is ih-FEKT (/ɪˈfɛkt/). Only the first vowel differs: affect starts with a relaxed "uh" (schwa); effect starts with a short "ih".

Why do people confuse "affect" and "effect"?

The unstressed first vowel is subtle, so they sound almost the same.

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