Difference between 'impact' and 'effect'?

[snickchap]

Hello,

Does anyone know of a good way to explain the difference between these two nouns:

impact

effect

Are there times when you could use one, but not the other?

Any examples or explanations would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

SC

 

[Ben_Adam]

Do not confuse the words affect, effect, and impact, each of which can be used both as a verb and as a noun. Avoid incorrectly using impact as a verb in place of affect or as a noun in place of effect.

Affect as a verb means "to influence."
Affect as a noun has a specialized meaning in medicine and psychology, referring to moods and feeling as distinct from thoughts or knowledge.


Effect as a verb means "to bring about, to produce," or to "accomplish something."
Effect as a noun means "result."

Impact as a verb means "strike with a blow" or "to pack firmly together."
Impact as a noun means "a collision."

Do not use impact as a verb in place of "to affect", do not use impact as a noun in place of "effect."


________________________
I am not a teacher!

 

[Jason72]

Then, why do you answer if you are not a teacher?

 

[Anglika]

impact also has the meaning of a marked effect or influence: The Beatles had a major impact on the pop music world.

effect has several meanings :
1 a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause. The discovery of penicillin had a major effect on medical treatments
2 the state of being or becoming operative. The Act will take effect next month.
3 the extent to which something succeeds or is operative: wind power can be used to great effect.
4 (effects) personal belongings.
5 (effects) the lighting, sound, or scenery used in a play or film.
6 [SIZE=-1]Physics[/SIZE] a physical phenomenon, typically named after its discoverer.