Affect vs. Infect — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 21, 2024
"Affect" means to influence or make an impact on something, used broadly across contexts, while "infect" refers specifically to the invasion and multiplication of pathogens in a body.
Difference Between Affect and Infect
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Affect" is a verb that denotes having an impact or influence on something or someone. Whereas "infect" is used specifically in the context of diseases, where it describes the process by which organisms like bacteria, viruses, or fungi invade and multiply within a host's body.
The usage of "affect" can be emotional, psychological, or physical, indicating any sort of change induced by an external factor. On the other hand, "infect" always has a biological connotation, directly linked to disease and health conditions.
While "affect" can apply to a broad range of scenarios, including how weather affects mood or a policy affects an economy, "infect" is strictly used in medical or biological settings, such as a virus infecting a host or bacteria infecting a wound.
In grammar, "affect" is primarily used as a verb. Conversely, "infect" is also a verb but pertains only to the transmission of pathogens, not influences or changes of state in broader contexts.
The emotional or psychological implications of "affect" can vary widely, from slight disturbances to profound impacts on one's psychological state. In contrast, "infect" implies a negative impact, specifically involving the deterioration of health due to the presence of harmful organisms.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To influence or have an impact on
To invade and multiply within a host
Usage Context
Broad (emotional, psychological, physical)
Specific (biological, medical)
Common Applications
Emotions, policies, environments
Diseases, pathogens
Grammatical Role
Verb
Verb
Implication of Impact
Can be positive, neutral, or negative
Generally negative (health-related)
Compare with Definitions
Affect
To touch the feelings of; move emotionally.
The poignant film affected its audience deeply.
Infect
To affect someone with a computer virus.
His computer was infected by malware that encrypted all his files.
Affect
In psychology, to experience an emotion or feeling.
He was visibly affected by the news of his grandmother's illness.
Infect
To spread disease to.
Mosquitoes can infect humans with malaria.
Affect
To have an influence on or make a difference to.
The decision to cut funding will significantly affect the arts program.
Infect
To imbue with a usually pernicious idea or quality.
The ideology has infected many young minds.
Affect
To pretend to have or feel something.
She affected indifference, even though she was hurt.
Infect
To contaminate with a disease-causing organism.
The patient was infected with a rare virus.
Affect
To have an influence on or effect a change in
Inflation affects the buying power of the dollar.
Infect
To corrupt or taint.
The entire system was infected with corruption.
Affect
To produce an effect or change in.
Cold weather affects the battery life of smartphones.
Infect
To invade and proliferate in, often resulting in disease. Used of microorganisms or other infectious agents
People who were infected with salmonella.
Affect
To act on the emotions of; touch or move.
Infect
To cause the invasion of (a cell, for example) with a microorganism or other infectious agent
The researchers infected the bacteria with a virus.
Affect
To attack or infect, as a disease
Rheumatic fever can affect the heart.
Infect
To transmit a pathogen or disease to
The sick child infected the entire class.
Affect
To put on a false show of; simulate
Affected a British accent.
Infect
To contaminate with a pathogenic microorganism or agent
Cholera infected the water supply.
Affect
To have or show a liking for
Affects dramatic clothes.
Infect
(Computers) To become transmitted to and copied on (a hard drive, for example). Used of a virus or other harmful software.
Affect
(Archaic) To fancy; love.
Infect
To affect by transmission or be communicated to. Used of an idea, emotion, or attitude
"His fear infected me, and ... I followed as fast as I could" (W.H. Hudson).
Affect
To tend to by nature; tend to assume
A substance that affects crystalline form.
Infect
(transitive) To bring (the body or part of it) into contact with a substance that causes illness (a pathogen), so that the pathogen begins to act on the body; (of a pathogen) to come into contact with (a body or body part) and begin to act on it.
Not everyone will be infected when an epidemic strikes.
Affect
To imitate; copy
"Spenser, in affecting the ancients, writ no language" (Ben Jonson).
Infect
(transitive) To contaminate (an object or substance) with a pathogen.
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).
Infect
(transitive) To make somebody enthusiastic about one's own passion, or to communicate a feeling to others, or a feeling communicating itself to others.
Her passion for dancing has infected me.
Affect
(Obsolete) A disposition, feeling, or tendency.
Infect
(obsolete) Infected.
Affect
(transitive) To influence or alter.
The experience affected me deeply.
The heat of the sunlight affected the speed of the chemical reaction.
Infect
Infected. Cf. Enfect.
Affect
(transitive) To move to emotion.
He was deeply affected by the tragic ending of the play.
Infect
To taint with morbid matter or any pestilential or noxious substance or effluvium by which disease is produced; as, to infect a lancet; to infect an apartment.
Affect
Of an illness or condition, to infect or harm (a part of the body).
Hepatitis affects the liver.
Infect
To affect with infectious disease; to communicate infection to; as, infected with the plague.
Them that were left alive being infected with this disease.
Affect
To dispose or incline.
Infect
To communicate to or affect with, as qualities or emotions, esp. bad qualities; to corrupt; to contaminate; to taint by the communication of anything noxious or pernicious.
Infected Ston's daughters with like heat.
Affect
To tend to by affinity or disposition.
Infect
To contaminate with illegality or to expose to penalty.
Affect
To assign; to appoint.
Infect
Communicate a disease to;
Your children have infected you with this head cold
Affect
To burden (property) with a fixed charge or payment, or other condition or restriction.
Infect
Contaminate with a disease or microorganism
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.
Infect
Contaminate with ideas or an ideology;
Society was infected by racism
Affect
To aim for, to try to obtain.
Infect
Affect in a contagious way;
His laughter infects everyone who is in the same room
Affect
To feel affection for (someone); to like, be fond of.
Affect
To show a fondness for (something); to choose.
Affect
(psychology) A subjective feeling experienced in response to a thought or other stimulus; mood, emotion, especially as demonstrated in external physical signs.
Affect
(obsolete) One's mood or inclination; mental state.
Affect
(obsolete) A desire, an appetite.
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.
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.
Affect
To love; to regard with affection.
As for Queen Katharine, he rather respected than affected, rather honored than loved, her.
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.
Affect
To dispose or incline.
Men whom they thought best affected to religion and their country's liberty.
Affect
To aim at; to aspire; to covet.
This proud man affects imperial way.
Affect
To tend to by affinity or disposition.
The drops of every fluid affect a round figure.
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.
Affect
To assign; to appoint.
One of the domestics was affected to his special service.
Affect
Affection; inclination; passion; feeling; disposition.
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.
Affect
The conscious subjective aspect of feeling or emotion
Affect
Have an effect upon;
Will the new rules affect me?
Affect
Act physically on; have an effect upon
Affect
Connect closely and often incriminatingly;
This new ruling affects your business
Affect
Make believe with the intent to deceive;
He feigned that he was ill
He shammed a headache
Affect
Have an emotional or cognitive impact upon;
This child impressed me as unusually mature
This behavior struck me as odd
Common Curiosities
What are typical contexts where "affect" is used?
"Affect" is used in contexts ranging from emotional influence to the impacts of physical or environmental changes.
How is "infect" different from "affect"?
"Infect" specifically refers to the process of disease-causing organisms invading and multiplying within a host, whereas "affect" refers to influencing or impacting in a broader sense.
What does "affect" mean?
"Affect" means to influence or change someone or something.
Can "infect" have a positive connotation?
Generally, "infect" has a negative connotation as it relates to diseases and harmful effects.
What is the grammatical role of "affect" and "infect"?
Both "affect" and "infect" are primarily used as verbs.
Is "infect" applicable outside of medical terms?
While mostly medical, "infect" can metaphorically be used to describe spreading negative ideas or influences.
Can policies "affect" an individual directly?
Yes, policies can affect individuals directly by altering legal, economic, or social conditions that impact their lives.
How does "affect" relate to emotions?
"Affect" can describe how external factors influence one's emotions or feelings.
Can "affect" and "infect" be used interchangeably?
No, "affect" and "infect" cannot be used interchangeably due to their different meanings and contexts.
What impact does "affect" have in psychological terms?
In psychology, "affect" refers to an observable manifestation of a subject's emotional state.
What are typical contexts where "infect" is used?
"Infect" is typically used in medical or biological contexts referring to diseases and pathogens.
What does it mean when a computer is "infected"?
It means the computer has been compromised with malicious software, such as viruses or trojans.
How can someone "affect" a false attitude?
By pretending or exhibiting behaviors that do not reflect their true feelings or states.
Can environmental factors "infect"?
Environment factors do not "infect" in the literal sense; they "affect" by influencing or altering conditions.
What does it mean to "infect" someone with an idea?
It means to influence someone strongly with an idea, often in a negative or pervasive manner.
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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.
Edited 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.
