I've never been able to sort the two out! Even the dictionary left me very hazy on the topic. When would I use one and when would I use the other?
2007-11-29 06:39:46 · 15 answers · asked by SurrepTRIXus 6 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
"Affect" is almost always a verb. In psychology, it's also used as a noun meaning "a strong feeling or emotion" (American Heritage Dictionary), but this is rare enough that it's safe to forget it. "Effect" is usually a noun but can also be used as a verb meaning "to bring about."
Ex. "Turning in an assignment late can affect your grade." "This medication has no known side effects." "He worked hard to effect his desired outcome."
"Affect" as a verb also has a second meaning of "pretend" or "put on airs." In this sense it most often appears as a participle: "She speaks with an affected accent," but one could also use it as a straight verb: "She affects a British accent although she's from the Midwest." You can probably get through life without concerning yourself much with this use, too.
2007-11-29 06:55:38 · answer #1 · answered by aida 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
An 'effect' (noun) is any result of a cause. The effect of gravity is that things fall toward the center of gravity.
'To affect' (verb) means to cause a change (effect) in something or someone.
'Affect' is also a psychological term, meaning the experience of feeling or emotion in response to certain stimuli. The smell of Thanksgiving dinner cooking may provoke a pleasant emotional response. For someone who nearly drowned, open water may provoke fear. In either case, there may be an observable 'affective display' such as trembling at the thought of going out in a boat.
2007-11-29 14:49:41 · answer #2 · answered by r_moulton76 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This post affected you so much it had the effect of making you cry...
Affect is to act upon something. Something affects you.
Effect is a result. It had the effect of causing something.
2007-11-29 14:46:05 · answer #3 · answered by Nite 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
affect - alters the outcome of something or causes something to happen
effect - the outcome of something happening.
Here are some sentences with them
To affect the outcome of the baseball game the vendor put sleeping pills in the pitchers gatorade.
the doctor gave the patient pain pills to dullen the effects of the surgery
2007-11-29 14:45:22 · answer #4 · answered by brandonlahman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
“Affect” and “effect” can each be used both as a noun and as a verb.
The effect (noun) of green-house gases is global warming.
The prisoner effected (verb) an escape from jail.
His french accent was an affect (noun) created for his role.
Green-house gases affect (verb) the planet by causing global warming.
2007-11-29 17:43:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Affect is in motion ... How will the medication affect me?
Effect is the result ... The medication had a bad effect on my stomach.
Does this help?
2007-11-29 14:45:15 · answer #6 · answered by Patti 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Affect is when the thing causes it.
Effect is the result.
The cold affects my mood.
The effect is sadness.
2007-11-29 14:52:15 · answer #7 · answered by Greywolf 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Affect
- Is an emotion or a feeling
Synonyms -impress, change,transform, upset,interest, involve
Effect
- It is a result or a consequence
Synonyms - Aftermath, reaction, repercussion, outcome
2007-11-29 14:47:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Affect is the verb. Effect is the noun.
"He will be badly affected by the news; the effect will be devastating."
That's all there is to it!
2007-11-29 14:43:18 · answer #9 · answered by LJG 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thank you for asking this question, I posted a question yesterday, using "affect" and I don't think it was the proper grammar. I was just going to ask the same question, because the definitions also left me clueless, initially I thought my spelling was wrong. Hope the other answerer's helped you. Thanks
2007-11-29 16:47:54 · answer #10 · answered by vajo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋