Affect vs. Effect?

1. 57

   caderade2posted 14 years ago

   Someone explain when to use affect vs effect and when to use a semicolon versus a coma.

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2. 54

   Shalini Kagalposted 14 years ago

   Generally, affect is a verb and effect is a noun. Something 'affects' you. You feel the 'effect'.
   
   A comma is a pause and a semicolon links two thoughts in a single sentence.
   
   Hope that helps

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      princessMARposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Nicely said!! I would like to add this to my grammar cheat sheets!!!

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3. 0

   Leta Sposted 14 years ago

   He turned his back to her, doubled over in pain; she looked askance and winced.
   
   "Visit the chiropractor," she said.  "You are so stubborn."
   
   This was affecting their relationship.  Who knew a medical condition would have such an effect?

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4. 54

   Shalini Kagalposted 14 years ago

   Who indeed? 'Twould be better to axe the effect that let it affect them like a festering wound   

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5. 57

   caderade2posted 14 years ago

   Thanks guys. I never paid attention in english class but I'm glad you did.

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6. 0

   TheSandmanposted 14 years ago

   I hope my writing is never affected  me so much that it  effects my writing, that's at what at some level editors are for, when the creative process has to worry about the nuts and bolts the creative process suffers.

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      Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Also, that is what rewrites are for. Write all your ideas out first, then rewrite.
      
      "Ernest Hemingway once confided to George Plimpton during an interview that he rewrote the ending to "A Farewell to Arms" 39 times before he was satisfied.
      Why so many rewrites? Plimpton asked.
      Because, Hemingway responded, he wanted to get the words right."

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7. 80

   Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

   But, when you are self-published you are your own editor.

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8. 0

   Leta Sposted 14 years ago

   Or when you work for certain organizations you are writer, editor, and proofer as well!

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9. 57

   lindagoffiganposted 14 years ago

   Great, my sixth grade tutoring paid off.
   Affect means to act upon or influence
   Example:  Studying will affect my test grade
   
   Effect means to bring about a result or to accomplish something.
   Example:  The effect of her smile was immediate.
   
   Semicolons are used between closely related independent clauses not joined by  and, or, not, for, yet or but.

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10. 57

    caderade2posted 14 years ago

    Great answers all of you. Thanks again.

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11. 82

    LondonGirlposted 14 years ago

    A comma is a quick pause in a sentence, such as, "I went to the shops first, then the cinema."
    
    A semi-colon is for more disjointed subclauses, as in the examples given higher in the thread.
    
    Semi-colons are also for lists started with a colon. Thus:
    
    1. drivel;
    2. wibble;
    3. boring rubbish.

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12. 60

    MarisPublicationposted 14 years ago

    Sometimes it confuses me as to when I should use the affect  or effect word. Especially, when it comes to medical terminology. The affect a drug has and the effect it may have. or visa verse.

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    1. 0

       Janettaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       A drug can affect a person, but it's sales will have an effect on the economy.
       Effect means--result, or to bring about (according to Strunk and White)
       You can replace the word effect with others such as --produce, bring about, result in etc.

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    Kitchen_Witchposted 14 years ago

    That lazy,sexy smile he affects, certainly effected me. MY cheerleaders want to go party with his Team!
    
    I just roared when I read this in a novel I was devouring.  A good example of the above.

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    1. 87

       Shil1978posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       "certainly effected me." --- thats not right I am afraid!!
       
       It should be "certainly affected me."

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       1. 87

          Shil1978posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          My bad - you meant you read that in a novel right?

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