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I continually misuse this word.

2007-03-27 06:56:32 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science Gender Studies

8 answers

The phrase "cause and effect" is common enough to remember as the one with an "e". So "effect" is the thing brought about by something else (a cause), or in the less common verb form, to bring something about.
___With "affect", the more common form is the verb, meaning "to modify". Those in the so-called "social sciences" often use it as a noun to refer to a person's demeanor, or, loosely, facial expression. Presumably this usage is based on the fact that facial expression can be viewed as a modification of an unanimated face, but this nicety is lost in practice.
___The significations are close, but it may help to remember that an "effect" is something that has or hasn't occurred, but is unchanged in the sequence. One can talk about an effect that may or may not come to exist or occur, but one is talking about the same thing both before and after such an occurrence.
___The verb is tricky. To effect a policy of, say, painting all crosswalks purple, is to paint all crosswalks purple.
___When something is affected, it is changed in the process. The thing referred to by the subject of the verb is different after being affected from what it was before. To affect a policy of painting all crosswalks purple would be to delay the painting or speed it up, or to choose another color.
___The noun "affect", in referring to a STATIC, if temporary, facial expression, is another example of social scientists' mangling of the language when they try to formulate esoteric jargon to impress laypeople.

2007-03-27 07:57:48 · answer #1 · answered by G-zilla 4 · 0 0

ok. effect- effect, a substitute or replaced state occurring as an instantaneous effect of action via somebody or some thing else influence- effect somebody or some thing: to act upon or influence somebody or some thing influence or effect? frequently use, influence is barely used as a verb, while effect is often used as a noun and easily in formal contexts as a verb. What reasons confusion is they have very comparable pronunciations and heavily appropriate meanings. If one element impacts [acts upon] yet another, it has an effect on it [reasons it to alter]. be conscious additionally which you would be able to influence [reason a substitute in] human beings to boot as issues, yet you could merely effect [deliver on] issues jointly with adjustments: The election has affected our finished society, for it has effected considerable adjustments interior the government.The undesirable climate has a foul effect [not influence] on him.

2016-10-20 13:21:21 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

effect is something that occurs by an action: Ex: "The effects of the earthquake was massive damage to buildings." It was a thing that caused some kind of action. Affect is a person and their response/emotions. Ex: "She was affected by the hurtful opinions of her boss." You can try a nmuemonic thing: "A is for for affect, which is closest to P for person. E is for effect, which is closest to T for thing."

2007-03-27 09:24:24 · answer #3 · answered by nicoleblingy2003 4 · 0 0

The effect of your actions will affect the rest of your life.
I try to use triggers that mean something to me personally.
Invent a picture in your mind or use a little ditty like this and it will help.

2007-03-28 04:01:38 · answer #4 · answered by Mike M 4 · 0 0

Affect is a verb. Effect is a noun.
Verb usage: You are affecting the situation.
Noun usage: The effect is devastating.
Hope this helps.

2007-03-27 07:59:03 · answer #5 · answered by Peg G 2 · 0 0

Simple. The effect is me meeting my beautiful Indian princess, she converted me from a caveman to a " gentleman". The affect is me behaving more like a social creature, you know, more cordial, respectful, kind, and last but not least, patient! Yes, meeting her has definitely changed my life for the better!!!!! I am crazy for my Kat's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-03-27 08:51:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

very simply:

alphabetically, a comes before e --

time-wise, a comes before e (affect comes before effect)

you affect the situation, which causes an effect

2007-03-27 08:20:53 · answer #7 · answered by chrissy_lyn_99 2 · 1 0

this works for me:

special EFFECTs have an AFFECT on audiences.

generally speaking:

effect = thing
affect = feeling

2007-03-27 11:04:08 · answer #8 · answered by Angie S 3 · 1 0

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