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Usage:
Affect and Effect (short version)
Q:
What is the Difference between Affect and Effect?
There
are five distinct words here. When “affect” is accented on
the final syllable (a-FECT), it is usually a verb meaning “have
an influence on”: “The million-dollar donation from the
industrialist did not affect my vote against the Clean Air Act.”
Occasionally
a pretentious person is said to affect an artificial air of
sophistication. Speaking with a borrowed French accent or
ostentatiously wearing a large diamond ear stud might be an
affectation. In this sort of context, “affect” means
“to make a display of or deliberately cultivate.”
Another
unusual meaning is indicated when the word is accented on the first
syllable (AFF-ect), meaning “emotion.” In this case the
word is used mostly by psychiatrists and social scientists-people who
normally know how to spell it.
The
real problem arises when people confuse the first spelling with the
second: “effect.” This too can be two different words. The
more common one is a noun: “When I left the stove on, the effect
was that the house filled with smoke.” When you affect a
situation, you have an effect on it.
The
less common is a verb meaning “to create”: “I’m
trying to effect a change in the way we purchase widgets.”
No
wonder people are confused.
Note
especially that the proper expression is not “take affect”
but “take effect” --become effective.
Hey,
nobody ever said English was logical: just memorize it and get on
with your life.
The
stuff in your purse? Your personal effects.
The
stuff in movies? Sound effects and special effects.
Reference:
http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/affect.html
Disclaimer: Not
responsible for advice, ideas, suggestions and/or
programs. By
mentioning these programs or any other program, I’m in no way
endorsing these or any other programs for you and/or your project.
Any advice, ideas or suggestions and/or programs mentioned are
considered my opinion only and am considered not liable. Not
responsible for sales or lack of sales of your project.
Brian@SunriseBooks.com
SunrisePublishing@gmail.com |
