Affect vs. Change — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 8, 2024
Affect refers to influencing or making an impact on something, often emotionally. Change denotes making something different or undergoing a transformation. Affect is about influence, whereas change involves alteration.
Difference Between Affect and Change
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Affect is often used to describe an influence or impact on something, especially emotionally, while change implies a transformation or alteration in state.
Affect is typically a verb, such as "The news affected her mood," whereas change can be both a noun and a verb, like "The change was significant" or "We need to change our plans."
Affect usually suggests a temporary influence on feelings or situations, while change indicates a more permanent shift in condition, structure, or state.
Affect tends to describe emotional impacts or shifts in circumstances, whereas change is broader, encompassing physical, behavioral, and systemic modifications.
Affect usually implies influencing something that's already present, while change often involves a transition to a new condition or state.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb (mostly)
Noun or Verb
Definition
To influence or have an impact on
To make different or undergo transformation
Common Usage
"The policy affects the economy."
"Let's change our strategy."
Nature of Influence
Temporary or situational
More permanent or systematic
Emotional Context
Yes, frequently linked to emotions
Not necessarily emotional
Compare with Definitions
Affect
An emotional state or reaction.
His affect was subdued during the meeting.
Change
To make different or become different.
We need to change our daily habits for a healthier lifestyle.
Affect
To feign or pretend.
He affected indifference even though he was deeply interested.
Change
The act or process of transformation.
The CEO's retirement brought a significant change in company leadership.
Affect
To have an influence on or cause a change in.
The teacher's positive feedback affected the student's confidence.
Change
Coins of smaller denominations.
I only have a $20 bill, do you have change?
Affect
An observable emotion or mental state.
The patient's affect was flat and unresponsive.
Change
An act or process through which something becomes different.
The change in government policies was unexpected.
Affect
To pretend to feel or be something.
She affected surprise when she heard the news.
Change
A replacement for something or someone.
They made a change in the team's lineup after the injury.
Affect
To have an influence on or effect a change in
Inflation affects the buying power of the dollar.
Change
A shift in circumstances, behavior, or conditions.
There's been a noticeable change in his attitude since last month.
Affect
To act on the emotions of; touch or move.
Change
To cause to be different; alter
We decided to change the color of the walls. You can't change the rules in the middle of the game.
Affect
To attack or infect, as a disease
Rheumatic fever can affect the heart.
Change
To give a completely different form or appearance to; transform
The new homeowners changed the yard into a garden.
Affect
To put on a false show of; simulate
Affected a British accent.
Change
To give and receive reciprocally; interchange
Anne and I changed seats so that she could sit next to the aisle.
Affect
To have or show a liking for
Affects dramatic clothes.
Change
To exchange for or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category
Change one's name.
A light that changes colors.
Affect
(Archaic) To fancy; love.
Change
To lay aside, abandon, or leave for another; switch
Change methods.
Change sides.
Affect
To tend to by nature; tend to assume
A substance that affects crystalline form.
Change
To transfer from (one conveyance) to another
In Chicago, we'll have to change planes.
Affect
To imitate; copy
"Spenser, in affecting the ancients, writ no language" (Ben Jonson).
Change
To give or receive the equivalent of (money) in lower denominations or in foreign currency
This machine will change dollar bills into coins. At the airport, the traveler changed British pounds into euros.
Affect
Feeling or emotion, especially as manifested by facial expression or body language
"The soldiers seen on television had been carefully chosen for blandness of affect" (Norman Mailer).
Change
To put fresh clothes or coverings on
It's your turn to change the baby. I'll show you how to change the bed.
Affect
(Obsolete) A disposition, feeling, or tendency.
Change
To become different or undergo alteration
He changed as he matured. The town grew and changed over the years.
Affect
(transitive) To influence or alter.
The experience affected me deeply.
The heat of the sunlight affected the speed of the chemical reaction.
Change
To undergo transformation or transition
The music changed to a slow waltz.
Affect
(transitive) To move to emotion.
He was deeply affected by the tragic ending of the play.
Change
To go from one phase to another, as the moon or the seasons.
Affect
Of an illness or condition, to infect or harm (a part of the body).
Hepatitis affects the liver.
Change
To make an exchange; switch
If you prefer this seat, I'll change with you.
Affect
To dispose or incline.
Change
To transfer from one conveyance to another
She changed in Detroit on her way to California.
Affect
To tend to by affinity or disposition.
Change
To put on other clothing
We changed for dinner. They changed into work clothes.
Affect
To assign; to appoint.
Change
To become deeper in tone
His voice began to change at age 13.
Affect
To burden (property) with a fixed charge or payment, or other condition or restriction.
Change
The act, process, or result of altering or modifying
A change in facial expression.
A last-minute change in the schedule.
Affect
(transitive) To make a show of; to put on a pretense of; to feign; to assume. To make a false display of.
To affect ignorance
To affect a British accent
He managed to affect a smile despite feeling quite miserable.
Change
The replacing of one thing for another; substitution
A change of atmosphere.
A change of ownership.
Affect
To aim for, to try to obtain.
Change
A transformation or transition from one state, condition, or phase to another
The change of seasons.
Affect
To feel affection for (someone); to like, be fond of.
Change
Something different; variety
Ate early for a change.
Affect
To show a fondness for (something); to choose.
Change
A different or fresh set of clothing
I brought along a change of shirts to the overnight party.
Affect
(psychology) A subjective feeling experienced in response to a thought or other stimulus; mood, emotion, especially as demonstrated in external physical signs.
Change
Money of smaller denomination given or received in exchange for money of higher denomination
Will you give me change of four quarters for a dollar?.
Affect
(obsolete) One's mood or inclination; mental state.
Change
The balance of money returned when an amount given is more than what is due
I paid $3 for the coffee that cost $2.50, so I received 50 cents in change.
Affect
(obsolete) A desire, an appetite.
Change
Coins
Loose change was jingling in my pocket.
Affect
To act upon; to produce an effect or change upon.
As might affect the earth with cold heat.
The climate affected their health and spirits.
Change
A pattern or order in which bells are rung.
Affect
To influence or move, as the feelings or passions; to touch.
A consideration of the rationale of our passions seems to me very necessary for all who would affect them upon solid and pure principles.
Change
In jazz, a change of harmony; a modulation.
Affect
To love; to regard with affection.
As for Queen Katharine, he rather respected than affected, rather honored than loved, her.
Change
A market or exchange where business is transacted.
Affect
To show a fondness for; to like to use or practice; to choose; hence, to frequent habitually.
For he does neither affect company, nor is he fit for it, indeed.
Do not affect the society of your inferiors in rank, nor court that of the great.
Change
(intransitive) To become something different.
The tadpole changed into a frog.
Stock prices are constantly changing.
Affect
To dispose or incline.
Men whom they thought best affected to religion and their country's liberty.
Change
To make something into something else.
The fairy changed the frog into a prince.
I had to change the wording of the ad so it would fit.
Affect
To aim at; to aspire; to covet.
This proud man affects imperial way.
Change
(transitive) To replace.
Ask the janitor to come and change the lightbulb.
After a brisk walk, I washed up and changed my shirt.
Affect
To tend to by affinity or disposition.
The drops of every fluid affect a round figure.
Change
(intransitive) To replace one's clothing.
You can't go into the dressing room while she's changing.
The clowns changed into their costumes before the circus started.
Affect
To make a show of; to put on a pretense of; to feign; to assume; as, to affect ignorance.
Careless she is with artful care,Affecting to seem unaffected.
Thou dost affect my manners.
Change
(transitive) To replace the clothing of (the one wearing it).
It's your turn to change the baby.
Affect
To assign; to appoint.
One of the domestics was affected to his special service.
Change
(intransitive) To transfer to another vehicle (train, bus, etc.)
Affect
Affection; inclination; passion; feeling; disposition.
Change
(archaic) To exchange.
Affect
The emotional complex associated with an idea or mental state. In hysteria, the affect is sometimes entirely dissociated, sometimes transferred to another than the original idea.
Change
(transitive) To change hand while riding (a horse).
To change a horse
Affect
The conscious subjective aspect of feeling or emotion
Change
The process of becoming different.
The product is undergoing a change in order to improve it.
Affect
Have an effect upon;
Will the new rules affect me?
Change
(uncountable) Small denominations of money given in exchange for a larger denomination.
Can I get change for this $100 bill please?
Affect
Act physically on; have an effect upon
Change
(countable) A replacement.
A change of clothes
Affect
Connect closely and often incriminatingly;
This new ruling affects your business
Change
(uncountable) Balance of money returned from the sum paid after deducting the price of a purchase.
A customer who pays with a 10-pound note for a £9 item receives one pound in change.
Affect
Make believe with the intent to deceive;
He feigned that he was ill
He shammed a headache
Change
(uncountable) An amount of cash, usually in the form of coins, but sometimes inclusive of paper money.
Do you have any change on you? I need to make a phone call.
This bus ride requires exact change.
Affect
Have an emotional or cognitive impact upon;
This child impressed me as unusually mature
This behavior struck me as odd
Change
(countable) A transfer between vehicles.
The train journey from Bristol to Nottingham includes a change at Birmingham.
Affect
To have an influence on or produce a change in.
The weather can greatly affect your mood.
Change
(baseball) A change-up pitch.
Change
(campanology) Any order in which a number of bells are struck, other than that of the diatonic scale.
Change
A public house; an alehouse.
Change
To alter; to make different; to cause to pass from one state to another; as, to change the position, character, or appearance of a thing; to change the countenance.
Therefore will I change their glory into shame.
Change
To alter by substituting something else for, or by giving up for something else; as, to change the clothes; to change one's occupation; to change one's intention.
They that do change old love for new,Pray gods, they change for worse!
Change
To give and take reciprocally; to exchange; - followed by with; as, to change place, or hats, or money, with another.
Look upon those thousands with whom thou wouldst not, for any interest, change thy fortune and condition.
Change
Specifically: To give, or receive, smaller denominations of money (technically called change) for; as, to change a gold coin or a bank bill.
He pulled out a thirty-pound note and bid me change it.
Change
To be altered; to undergo variation; as, men sometimes change for the better.
For I am Lord, I change not.
Change
To pass from one phase to another; as, the moon changes to-morrow night.
Change
Any variation or alteration; a passing from one state or form to another; as, a change of countenance; a change of habits or principles.
Apprehensions of a change of dynasty.
All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Change
A succesion or substitution of one thing in the place of another; a difference; novelty; variety; as, a change of seasons.
Our fathers did for change to France repair.
The ringing grooves of change.
Change
A passing from one phase to another; as, a change of the moon.
Change
Alteration in the order of a series; permutation.
Change
That which makes a variety, or may be substituted for another.
Thirty change (R.V. changes) of garments.
Change
Small money; the money by means of which the larger coins and bank bills are made available in small dealings; hence, the balance returned when payment is tendered by a coin or note exceeding the sum due.
Change
A place where merchants and others meet to transact business; a building appropriated for mercantile transactions.
Change
A public house; an alehouse.
They call an alehouse a change.
Change
Any order in which a number of bells are struck, other than that of the diatonic scale.
Four bells admit twenty-four changes in ringing.
Change
An event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another;
The change was intended to increase sales
This storm is certainly a change for the worse
The neighborhood had undergone few modifications since his last visit years ago
Change
A relational difference between states; especially between states before and after some event;
He attributed the change to their marriage
Change
The action of changing something;
The change of government had no impact on the economy
His change on abortion cost him the election
Change
The result of alteration or modification;
There were marked changes in the lining of the lungs
There had been no change in the mountains
Change
The balance of money received when the amount you tender is greater than the amount due;
I paid with a twenty and pocketed the change
Change
A thing that is different;
He inspected several changes before selecting one
Change
A different or fresh set of clothes;
She brought a change in her overnight bag
Change
Coins of small denomination regarded collectively;
He had a pocketful of change
Change
Money received in return for its equivalent in a larger denomination or a different currency;
He got change for a twenty and used it to pay the taxi driver
Change
A difference that is usually pleasant;
He goes to France for variety
It is a refreshing change to meet a woman mechanic
Change
Undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature;
She changed completely as she grew older
The weather changed last night
Change
Cause to change; make different; cause a transformation;
The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city
The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue
Change
Make or become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence;
Her mood changes in accordance with the weather
The supermarket's selection of vegetables varies according to the season
Change
Lay aside, abandon, or leave for another;
Switch to a different brand of beer
She switched psychiatrists
The car changed lanes
Change
Change clothes; put on different clothes;
Change before you go to the opera
Change
Exchange or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category;
Could you convert my dollars into pounds?
He changed his name
Convert centimeters into inches
Convert holdings into shares
Change
Give to, and receive from, one another;
Would you change places with me?
We have been exchanging letters for a year
Change
Change from one vehicle or transportation line to another;
She changed in Chicago on her way to the East coast
Change
Become deeper in tone;
His voice began to change when he was 12 years old
Her voice deepened when she whispered the password
Change
Remove or replace the coverings of;
Father had to learn how to change the baby
After each guest we changed the bed linens
Common Curiosities
Can "change" be both a noun and a verb?
Yes, "change" functions both as a noun (referring to a transformation) and a verb (meaning to make different).
Is "change" always a positive transformation?
No, "change" can refer to both positive and negative transformations.
Can "affect" and "change" be used interchangeably?
No, "affect" involves influencing something, whereas "change" implies a transformation or shift.
Does "affect" always imply an emotional influence?
Not always; it can describe other impacts, but it's often associated with emotions.
When should "affect" be used over "change"?
Use "affect" when referring to influencing or impacting something temporarily or emotionally. "Change" is more appropriate when indicating a transformation.
Is "affect" always used as a verb?
Mostly, yes. It is commonly used as a verb to indicate influence but also exists as a noun referring to emotional states.
Does "change" inherently indicate improvement?
No, "change" simply indicates transformation, which could be positive, negative, or neutral.
Is "affect" related to "effect"?
Yes, "affect" (verb) means to influence, whereas "effect" (noun) refers to the result or outcome of that influence.
What’s the primary grammatical difference between "affect" and "change"?
"Affect" is primarily a verb, whereas "change" functions as both a noun and a verb.
Can "affect" imply a complete transformation?
No, "affect" implies influence or impact but doesn't necessarily mean a total transformation.
Does "change" only apply to physical alterations?
No, "change" can apply to various transformations, including behavioral, structural, and systemic.
How does the noun form of "affect" differ from the verb form?
The noun "affect" refers to an observable emotional state or reaction, whereas the verb "affect" means to influence or impact something.
How is "affect" commonly misused?
People often confuse it with "effect," using one instead of the other. Remember that "affect" is usually a verb, and "effect" is generally a noun.
Can "change" be incremental?
Yes, "change" can be gradual or immediate, depending on the context.
Is "change" restricted to specific contexts?
No, "change" is versatile and can describe various transformations, from personal habits to large-scale societal shifts.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
