effect
Definitions
A result or outcome produced by a cause.
效果；结果；影响。
An impression created in the mind (e.g. sound effect, visual effect).
（声、光等）效果。
(formal) To bring about; to cause to happen.
（正式）实现；使发生（effect change）。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedef- (a form of ex-, 'out') + fect (the weakened form of fac, 'done') = 'that which is done out' — the result brought out by a cause. The a of facere weakens to e: fac → fect. An effect is the thing produced, pushed out into the world by whatever caused it.
Root fac still carries 273 more wordsWhy It Means This
Effect is the noun of 'what gets done out.' Because the result is what a cause pushes out, effect means outcome — and the rarer verb 'to effect' means to bring an outcome about. This is the heart of the famous affect/effect mix-up: affect (af- 'toward' + fect) is usually the verb 'to act upon,' while effect is usually the noun 'the result.'
Common Collocations
- 1.have an effect产生影响
- 2.side effect副作用
- 3.take effect生效
- 4.in effect实际上；生效中
- 5.special effects特效
Example Sentences
- 1.
The new policy had an immediate effect on prices.
- 2.
The medicine took effect within an hour.
- 3.
The film's special effects were stunning.
- 4.
The committee hopes to effect real change.
Easily Confused
affect vs. effect: affect is almost always a verb ('Stress affects sleep'); effect is almost always a noun ('Stress has an effect on sleep'). Trick: affect = Action (verb), effect = End result (noun).