The expressions to that effect and affect may appear in similar discussions, but they do not mean the same thing. One refers to the general meaning of a statement, while the other usually describes influencing or changing something.
Both are correct, but they are used in different situations. Use to that effect when summarizing what someone said or wrote without repeating the exact words. Use affect when describing how one thing influences another.
Understanding the difference between to that effect vs affect will help you write clearer emails, reports, school assignments, and everyday messages.
Quick Answer
Use to that effect when referring to the general meaning of a statement, message, or announcement.
- The manager sent an email to that effect.
- She made a statement to that effect during the meeting.
Use affect when something influences a person, situation, result, or condition.
- The weather may affect our travel plans.
- Lack of sleep can affect your concentration.
These expressions are not interchangeable. To that effect refers to the substance of a statement, while affect usually means to influence or produce a change.
Why People Confuse Them
The confusion often comes from seeing both expressions in sentences about communication, decisions, and their consequences. A person might make a statement about a new policy, for example, and that policy might affect employees.
Although the words can appear in the same discussion, their grammatical roles are different.
To that effect is a fixed expression. The word that refers back to an idea or message already mentioned. The expression points to the general substance of that message.
Affect is usually a verb. It describes an influence or change. Its meaning depends on what is being affected.
Consider these examples:
- The director made a statement to that effect.
- The director’s decision will affect the entire department.
The first sentence refers to what the director communicated. The second describes the impact of a decision.
The key is to focus on the intended meaning rather than trying to use one expression in place of the other.
Key Differences At A Glance
| Context | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Summarizing a statement | To that effect | Refers to the general substance of a message |
| Referring to an announcement | To that effect | Connects to an idea already communicated |
| Describing an influence | Affect | Means to influence or change something |
| Discussing a decision’s impact | Affect | Describes the result or influence of the decision |
| Reporting someone’s general message | To that effect | Avoids repeating the exact wording |
| Explaining a change in performance | Affect | Identifies something that influences performance |
A quick comparison makes the distinction easier to remember:
- To that effect: Refers to the meaning or substance of something said or written.
- Affect: Usually means to influence, change, or have an impact on something.
Meaning and Usage Difference
What does “to that effect” mean?
To that effect is an expression used to refer to the general meaning or substance of something someone has said, written, announced, or communicated.
It does not require the speaker to repeat the exact words. Instead, it indicates that the message was similar in meaning to the idea being discussed.
For example:
“The school sent a notice to that effect.”
This means the school sent a notice communicating the idea already mentioned or understood from the surrounding context.
Other examples include:
- The landlord left a message to that effect.
- She made a comment to that effect during the interview.
- The company issued a statement to that effect after the meeting.
In each example, the expression points back to a message or idea. It is especially useful when summarizing communication without quoting it word for word.
What does “affect” mean?
Affect is most commonly used as a verb meaning to influence, change, or have an impact on something.
For example:
“The road closure will affect the morning commute.”
This means the closure will influence how people travel to work.
Other examples include:
- High temperatures can affect your energy level.
- The new schedule may affect employee availability.
- A late payment could affect your credit history.
In these sentences, affect describes an influence or possible change.
The word can also be used as a noun in specialized contexts, particularly in psychology, where it refers to the outward expression of emotion. That use is less common in everyday writing.
For most general writing, the verb meaning is the one to remember.
Tone, Context, and Formality
Both expressions work in standard American English, including professional and everyday communication. Neither is limited to casual speech or formal writing.
To that effect can sound somewhat formal because it is often used in reports, official messages, interviews, and summaries.
For example:
“The company released a statement to that effect on Monday.”
The expression is appropriate when the writer wants to refer to the substance of an announcement without repeating its full content.
Affect is common across a wide range of settings. It appears in ordinary conversation, academic writing, workplace communication, and news reports.
For example:
“The schedule change will affect everyone on the team.”
This sentence is direct and natural in both casual and professional contexts.
The main difference is not formality. It is meaning and grammatical function. Choose the expression that accurately communicates your point.
Which One Should You Use?
Choose the expression based on what you want to say.
Use “to that effect” when you are:
- Summarizing a message without quoting it directly.
- Referring back to a statement made earlier.
- Describing the general substance of an announcement.
- Explaining what someone communicated in a meeting or email.
Example: “The principal sent an email to that effect after the parent meeting.”
Use “affect” when you are:
- Describing how an event influences a result.
- Explaining how a decision changes a situation.
- Discussing the impact of weather, schedules, or circumstances.
- Describing an influence on someone’s behavior or performance.
Example: “The revised school schedule will affect bus pickup times.”
A useful test is to replace affect with influence. If the sentence still makes sense, affect is probably the correct choice.
For to that effect, ask whether you are referring to the substance of a statement or message. If you are, the expression may fit.
When One Choice Sounds Wrong
The wrong choice becomes clear when you examine the intended meaning.
Incorrect: “The storm will to that effect our travel plans.”
Correct: “The storm will affect our travel plans.”
The first sentence does not work because to that effect cannot replace a verb describing influence.
Now consider the reverse problem.
Awkward for the intended meaning: “The manager sent an email affect.”
Correct: “The manager sent an email to that effect.”
The corrected sentence refers to the substance of the email. The word affect alone cannot perform that function.
Sometimes both expressions can appear in a single sentence, but each must have its own role.
Example: “The company issued a statement to that effect, and the decision may affect future hiring.”
Here, the first expression refers to the statement’s meaning, while the second describes the decision’s possible impact.
Common Mistakes (and Quick Fixes)
Mistake 1: Using “affect” to summarize a statement.
Incorrect: “The director made a comment affect.”
Correct: “The director made a comment to that effect.”
Quick fix: Use to that effect when referring to the general substance of a message.
Mistake 2: Using “to that effect” to describe an influence.
Incorrect: “The delay will to that effect our delivery.”
Correct: “The delay will affect our delivery.”
Quick fix: If you mean influence, use affect.
Mistake 3: Treating the expressions as synonyms.
Incorrect assumption: Either expression can replace the other.
Correct understanding: They have different meanings and grammatical roles.
Quick fix: Identify whether the sentence concerns a message or an impact.
Mistake 4: Using “to that effect” without a clear reference.
Unclear: “It was to that effect.”
Clearer: “The email stated that the office would close early, and the manager later sent a message to that effect.”
Quick fix: Make sure readers can identify the statement or idea being referenced.
Mistake 5: Choosing affect when the sentence needs a different grammatical form.
Incorrect: “The affect of the schedule change was immediate.”
Correct: “The effect of the schedule change was immediate.”
Quick fix: When naming a result, effect is usually the correct word. This is a separate distinction from to that effect.
Everyday Examples
The following examples show how each expression works in common American English situations.
At work
“The supervisor sent a message to that effect after the meeting.”
The expression refers to the general meaning of the supervisor’s message.
“The new attendance policy may affect employee schedules.”
Here, affect describes the policy’s influence.
At school
“The teacher made an announcement to that effect before class ended.”
The expression refers to the substance of the announcement.
“Missing several classes can affect a student’s progress.”
The verb describes an influence on progress.
In an email
“Please confirm whether the client sent a message to that effect.”
The writer is asking about the substance of the client’s message.
“The updated deadline will affect our project timeline.”
The verb describes how the deadline may change the schedule.
In everyday conversation
“She said something to that effect when we discussed the move.”
This means her words communicated a similar general idea.
“Traffic could affect our arrival time.”
This means traffic could influence when we arrive.
These examples demonstrate that the expressions can appear in related conversations while still serving different purposes.
Dictionary-Style Word Details
Verb
To that effect: This expression is not a verb. It functions as a phrase referring to the substance or general meaning of a statement.
Affect: Usually a transitive verb meaning to influence, change, or have an impact on something.
Example: “The new rule may affect attendance.”
Noun
To that effect: It is not normally used as a noun. It remains a fixed expression that refers to the substance of a message.
Affect: A noun in psychology that refers to the outward expression of emotion or feeling. This meaning is specialized and differs from the common verb use.
Synonyms
To that effect: Closest plain alternatives include in that sense, along those lines, and with that meaning, depending on context. These expressions do not fit every sentence equally well.
Affect: Closest plain alternatives include influence, impact, or change when used as a verb. The best alternative depends on the sentence.
Example Sentences
To that effect:
- “The manager made a statement to that effect.”
- “We received an email to that effect yesterday.”
Affect:
- “The weather may affect our plans.”
- “The decision could affect the entire team.”
Word History
To that effect: The expression uses effect in the sense of the substance or result conveyed by a statement. Its exact historical development is not necessary to understand its modern use.
Affect: The verb entered English through French from Latin afficere, meaning to act upon or influence. Its modern meaning includes having an impact on something.
Phrases Containing
To that effect: Common patterns include a statement to that effect, a message to that effect, and words to that effect. Each refers to the general substance of what was communicated.
Affect: Common patterns include affect the outcome, affect someone’s health, affect performance, and affect a decision. Each describes an influence or change.
Conclusion
To that effect and affect are both correct, but they do different jobs. Use to that effect when referring to the general meaning of something said or written. Use affect when describing how one thing influences or changes another.
When deciding between to that effect vs affect, ask yourself one simple question: Am I referring to a message, or am I describing an influence? That distinction will help you choose the right expression with confidence.
