The word "affected by" is spelled with the IPA symbols /əˈfɛktɪd baɪ/. The first syllable is pronounced with the short schwa sound, followed by the short e sound. The second syllable begins with the voiced f sound, and ends with the t sound. The word is then followed by the preposition "by", pronounced with the short i sound. This spelling represents the pronunciation of the word quite accurately, making it easy for English learners to understand and use it properly in their writing and conversations.
The phrase "affected by" is an expression that signifies the influence, impact, or consequence of something upon a person, group, or object. It refers to the state or condition of being influenced, altered, or modified by an external factor or situation. When an individual or entity is said to be "affected by" something, it suggests that they have been influenced, affected, or impacted in some way, either emotionally, physically, or intellectually.
This phrase commonly describes a range of situations across various domains, such as health, emotions, society, and environment. For instance, someone can be affected by an illness, implying that they are experiencing symptoms or enduring the consequences of a specific illness or disease. Similarly, individuals can also be affected by emotional events, indicating that their feelings, mood, or mental well-being have been influenced or disturbed due to a particular incident.
The term "affected by" can also highlight the role of external factors on one's social condition or environment. For example, a community can be affected by poverty, meaning that its inhabitants face various adverse consequences or challenges resulting from limited economic resources or opportunities present in their area.
Overall, "affected by" denotes the impact or influence of something on an individual, group, or object, alluding to a state of being modified, influenced, or altered by external factors or situations.
The word "affected" can be traced back to the Latin word "affectus", which is the past participle of the verb "afficere". "Afficere" comprises the prefix "ad-" meaning "to" or "towards", and the root "facere" meaning "to do" or "to make". Its literal translation is "to do to" or "to make towards". In Latin, "affectus" primarily meant "to do something to or towards, influence, or attack". Over time, it evolved in meaning to refer to emotions or moods that someone experiences due to external factors.
The preposition "by" in the phrase "affected by" comes from Old English, where it was written as "bi". It originally meant "near" or "at", but eventually evolved to signify "through" or "using".