Betty writes:
Would you please discuss “effect” used as a verb (as opposed to “affect”)?
This is a thorny issue! "Affect" and "effect" are often confused. Let's start with their most common usages.
"Affect" is usually a verb meaning "to influence": How will this quiz affect my grade?
"Effect" is usually a noun meaning "result" or "consequence": The quiz had a bad effect on my grade.
But both words have other meanings as well. "Affect" can be a noun meaning "display of emotion": The killer displayed no affect when shown photos of his victims.
This is a rather technical word, used by psychologists but not by most people. (It's also where we get the word "affectionate.")
And to answer Betty's question, "effect" can be a verb meaning "to bring about," "to cause," or "to achieve": He effected his escape with knotted bedsheets. You will effect these changes on Monday.
This is another "technical" word, more used by bureaucrats than by ordinary people.
I wish I could affect my students' usage of these words!
Hello,
I think that your blog is very interesting.
I am looking for blogs about English as a second language and I thought you.
Sorry.. My english is not so good.
Hugs
Priscila
Posted by: Priscila | September 05, 2005 at 06:02 PM
Oi, Priscila--
Your English is better than my Portuguese! Glad to have a brasileira visiting here. Look in my list of ESL/EFL resources. I think you will find some blogs there.
I was in Sao Paulo in 2002 (for four days!) and enjoyed it a lot. I miss Brazil...
Posted by: Crawford Kilian | September 05, 2005 at 09:12 PM
First week of law school, and I must have seen the word "effect" used as a verb a few dozen times by now. I knew the justices of the Canadian Supreme Court couldn't be a bunch of illiterate dummies! Thanks!
Posted by: Martin Stoyanov | September 11, 2005 at 05:35 PM
I don't quite understand the difference between AFFECT (to influence) as a verb and EFFECT (to bring about, to cause, to achieve) as a verb.
Posted by: sandinmyears | February 11, 2011 at 06:07 AM
I was trying to clarify this difference in my mind, and I had an idea that might help clarify, if I'm correct:
Use "affect" as a verb when the object would be the thing that is being changed. "The fire affected the temperature nearby." 'Temperature' is the object of 'affect'.
Use "effect" as a verb when the object of the verb is the change itself. "The fire effected a change in the temperature." 'Change' is the object of 'effect'.
Do I have that right?
Posted by: Dave Nielsen | September 13, 2011 at 08:53 PM
Hi, Dave--Yes, you've got it right.
Posted by: Crof | September 13, 2011 at 09:04 PM
I'm probably not the only one ending up here due to http://xkcd.com/326/
Posted by: Mattis Castegren | January 17, 2012 at 08:04 AM
Hello,
Can I say : they are a multitude of factors that effect the end product. In this case I feel 'affect' woulde be more appropriate.
Am I right?
Posted by: Monika DreamAmeye | May 16, 2012 at 03:48 AM
I think it is a failure in the design of the English language, not on the part of students. If only there was an English language committee to make changes worldwide.
There should ideally be just one word for both instances.
Posted by: Blasko229 | August 22, 2012 at 06:04 AM
@Blasko220 - Why, on earth, should there need to be one word for two distinctly different things? This isn't a failure of English - it's a lack of thought before committing pen to paper.
Posted by: Graham Wilson | December 29, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Hey, If I get in a muddle I remember by equating the verb 'affect' with another 'a' word which is 'alter'. I know it's not quite right but it's sort of close enough to assist me. 'Effect' (verb) I equate with 'execute' (as in 'perform' or 'bring about', not as in kill!) - again for me it is close enough in meaning to help.
What do you think?
Posted by: Sally Jarvis | February 26, 2013 at 01:02 AM
Well Graham,
It is a difficult subject, requiring a little more than just typical thought before putting pen to paper.
Dave,
Your examples are right on, but your explanation of them was confusing to me. I understand the sentences and why each is the way it is, but you lost me in your description. I don't know how you can do a better comparison, because those were very good. Can you maybe re-word what you meant? Maybe I can explain my confusion.
"when the object of the verb is the change itself"
I'm trying to think of where this is not the case.
Posted by: Julia | September 07, 2013 at 01:58 PM
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Posted by: Lilly Rowling | December 20, 2016 at 05:47 AM