Afford vs. Effort — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 26, 2023
Afford refers to the ability to provide or spare something, especially financially, while effort pertains to the use of physical or mental energy to achieve something.
Difference Between Afford and Effort
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Afford and effort, despite having different meanings, are words that are vital in the discourse of capability and accomplishment. Afford primarily pertains to one's capability to bear the cost or allocate resources, usually financial, for something. It denotes availability of resources and the ability to spare or provide them. It’s more about the capability to allocate, give, or bear the cost of something, indicating a state of abundance or adequacy to fulfill a need or desire.
Effort, in contrast, refers to the exertion of physical or mental power to accomplish a task or overcome a challenge. It implies the endeavor, struggle, or strain exerted to achieve a goal or objective. This term is broad, encompassing both the act of trying and the amount of energy expended in pursuit of a result, illustrating the application of oneself to a task or challenge.
In contexts, afford is a verb illustrating ability or capability in a financial or provisioning sense, highlighting what one can provide or bear without undue strain or inconvenience. It is indicative of capacity, not necessarily implying exertion but rather availability or adequacy of resources or means.
Effort is a noun, depicting the amount of work done in achieving a specific outcome. It is synonymous with endeavors, labors, struggles, expressing the hardship, diligence, and application required in the pursuit of objectives. It emphasizes the intensity, determination, and diligence applied to overcome obstacles and achieve results.
To sum it up, afford is about the capability to provide, to spare, primarily financially, denoting the presence or availability of resources or means, whereas effort is about the application of energy, determination, and diligence to accomplish tasks and achieve goals.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Noun
Meaning
Ability to provide or spare
Use of physical or mental energy
Contextual Use
Primarily financial or provisioning
Pertains to accomplishing tasks or overcoming challenges
Implies
Capability, availability of means
Endeavor, strain, application of energy
Related to
Allocation, giving, bearing cost
Work, struggle, endeavor to achieve a result
Compare with Definitions
Afford
To be able to spare or give as part of a financial capability.
I can afford to buy a new car this year.
Effort
The use of physical or mental energy to do something.
The task requires a considerable amount of effort.
Afford
To provide or furnish, especially in terms of resources.
The program affords opportunities for learning.
Effort
A determined attempt to achieve a task.
His efforts to finish the project were commendable.
Afford
To make available or accessible.
The viewpoint affords a panoramic scenery.
Effort
The use of physical or mental energy to do something; exertion.
Afford
To have the financial means for; bear the cost of.
She can easily afford the luxury cruise.
Effort
A difficult exertion of strength or will
It was an effort to get up.
Afford
To have the financial means for; bear the cost of
Able to afford a new car.
Effort
A usually earnest attempt
Make an effort to arrive promptly.
Afford
To manage to spare or give up
Can't afford an hour for lunch.
Effort
Something done or produced through exertion; an achievement
A play that was his finest effort.
Afford
To manage or bear without disadvantage or risk to oneself
Can afford to be tolerant.
Effort
Force applied against inertia.
Afford
To make available or have as a necessary feature; provide
A tree that affords ample shade.
A sport affording good exercise.
Effort
The force needed by a machine to accomplish work on a load.
Afford
To incur, stand, or bear without serious detriment, as an act which might under other circumstances be injurious; to be able or rich enough.
I think we can afford the extra hour it will take.
We can only afford to buy a small car at the moment.
Effort
The work involved in performing an activity; exertion.
It took a lot of effort to find a decent-sized, fully-furnished apartment within walking distance of the office.
He made a conscious effort to not appear affected by the stories in the paper.
Afford
(obsolete) To offer, provide, or supply, as in selling, granting or expending, with profit, or without too great a loss.
Alfred affords his goods cheaper than Bantock.
Effort
An endeavor.
Although he didn't win any medals, Johnson's effort at the Olympics won over many fans.
Afford
(rare) To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural result, fruit, or issue.
Grapes afford wine.
Olives afford oil.
The earth affords fruit.
The sea affords an abundant supply of fish.
Effort
A force acting on a body in the direction of its motion.
Afford
To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter reference to its being the natural result; to provide; to furnish.
A good life affords consolation in old age.
Effort
To make an effort.
Afford
To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural result, fruit, or issue; as, grapes afford wine; olives afford oil; the earth affords fruit; the sea affords an abundant supply of fish.
Effort
To strengthen, fortify or stimulate
Afford
To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter reference to its being the natural result; to provide; to furnish; as, a good life affords consolation in old age.
His tuneful Muse affords the sweetest numbers.
The quiet lanes . . . afford calmer retreats.
Effort
An exertion of strength or power, whether physical or mental, in performing an act or aiming at an object; more or less strenuous endeavor; struggle directed to the accomplishment of an object; as, an effort to scale a wall.
We prize the stronger effort of his power.
Afford
To offer, provide, or supply, as in selling, granting, expending, with profit, or without loss or too great injury; as, A affords his goods cheaper than B; a man can afford a sum yearly in charity.
Effort
A force acting on a body in the direction of its motion.
Afford
To incur, stand, or bear without serious detriment, as an act which might under other circumstances be injurious; - with an auxiliary, as can, could, might, etc.; to be able or rich enough.
The merchant can afford to trade for smaller profits.
He could afford to sufferWith those whom he saw suffer.
Effort
To stimulate.
Afford
Be able to spare or give up;
I can't afford to spend two hours with this person
Effort
Earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something;
Made an effort to cover all the reading material
Wished him luck in his endeavor
She gave it a good try
Afford
Be the cause or source of;
He gave me a lot of trouble
Our meeting afforded much interesting information
Effort
Use of physical or mental energy; hard work;
He got an A for effort
They managed only with great exertion
Afford
Have the financial means to do something or buy something;
We can't afford to send our children to college
Can you afford this car?
Effort
A series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end;
He supported populist campaigns
They worked in the cause of world peace
The team was ready for a drive toward the pennant
The movement to end slavery
Contributed to the war effort
Afford
Afford access to;
The door opens to the patio
The French doors give onto a terrace
Effort
A notable achievement;
He performed a great deed
The book was her finest effort
Afford
To be able to do or bear something without severe consequence.
The schedule can’t afford any more delays.
Effort
A strenuous exertion to overcome a difficulty.
It was a great effort to lift the heavy box.
Effort
The amount of work done in achieving a specific outcome.
The team put in a lot of effort to win the match.
Effort
A vigorous or determined attempt.
With a little more effort, success is assured.
Common Curiosities
Is afford a verb?
Yes, afford is a verb, denoting the action of being able to give or spare.
Does afford usually relate to financial capability?
Yes, afford primarily relates to one's financial capability to spare or provide.
Is effort related to overcoming challenges?
Yes, effort is often related to overcoming challenges or difficulties to achieve a goal.
Can afford imply the availability or adequacy of resources?
Absolutely, afford often implies the availability or adequacy of resources or means.
Can afford also mean to provide or make available?
Yes, afford can also mean to provide, furnish, or make something available.
Does effort refer to the amount of physical or mental energy used?
Exactly, effort refers to the amount of physical or mental energy used to achieve something.
Does afford primarily indicate a state of abundance or adequacy?
Yes, to afford something typically indicates a state of abundance or adequacy to fulfill a need or desire.
Does effort imply determination and diligence?
Yes, effort often implies determination, diligence, and the application of oneself to a task.
Is effort a noun?
Yes, effort is a noun, representing the exertion or application of energy.
Can effort be synonymous with struggle and endeavor?
Yes, effort can be synonymous with struggle, endeavor, and the application required in pursuit of objectives.
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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.
