# effective vs elective

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### effective
*adjective · IPA /ɪˈfɛktɪv/ · frequency rank #1,363*
Having the power to produce a required effect or effects.

### elective
*adjective · IPA /ɪˈlɛktɪv/ · frequency rank #19,071*
Of, or pertaining to voting or elections; involving a choice between options.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/effective-vs-elective