Am I using the right word...affect vs. effect?

Question

The events that Martin experienced in the past have affected the way he behaves in the present.

or is it effected?

Answer 1

You used it correctly. You are going to be right 90+% of the time if you use "affect" as a verb and "effect" as a noun. They can both be used as the other part of speech, but only in very specialized ways.

Answer 2

You could make a case for using "effected" if you mean that the events *created* the way he now behaves--as in his current behavior is an effect of the events. But I think you really want affected, meaning influenced.

Answer 3

Effected

From Dictionary.com: Usage note Affect1 and effect, each both noun and verb, share the sense of “influence,” and because of their similarity in pronunciation are sometimes confused in writing. As a verb affect1 means “to act on” or “to move” (His words affected the crowd so deeply that many wept); affect2 means “to pretend” or “to assume” (new students affecting a nonchalance they didn't feel). The verb effect means “to bring about, accomplish”: Her administration effected radical changes. The noun effect means “result, consequence”: the serious effects of the oil spill

Answer 4

Yes, affected is correct. Affect is a verb, whereas effect is a noun.

Answer 5

You are correct...affect is the verb, and effect is the noun/adj.


For example:

the weather AFFECTED our playing

the hinge I installed wasn't very EFFECTIVE

the weather had a bad EFFECT on the game

hope this helps =) Happy holidays

Answer 6

Affected is correct.

Answer 7

yeh effect is a cause

Answer 8

I think you want 'effect' but check Strunk & White's "Elements Of Style"...the wordsmith's bible.

Answer 9

You got it right!

Answer 10

"affected" is right.