Which is correct, "the affects of" or "the effects of"?

1. 87

   lorenmurciaposted 13 years ago

   Which is correct, "the affects of" or "the effects of"?
   
   My teachers have always taught me "the effects of" but I can see other writers write "the affects of". I'm a non-English speaker so this thing gets me confused.

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2. 60

   missoliveposted 13 years ago

   We usually teach - effect
   As in cause and effect.
   Here is a great explanation by Grammar Girl - She explains the difference between the two.
   http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/af … ffect.aspx

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3. 90

   brittanytoddposted 13 years ago

   Affect usually means something has an influence on the other.  Example: The woman wasn't affected by the man's behavior.
   
   Effect is something that occurred due to a cause, like missolive said.  Example: The effects of the storm included a large tree falling on a car.

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4. 61

   Gem Marieposted 13 years ago

   My thoughts are as Brittanytodd explained it...

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5. 60

   plussize-lingerieposted 13 years ago

   Brittanytodd explained it well, but it's pretty simple:
   
   Affect is the verb, so you affect a change.
   
   Effect is the noun, so an you make an effect occur.
   
   You cannot effect something. Though linguistics may affect that. ;-)

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6. 76

   melbelposted 13 years ago

   Affect can actually be a noun in the psychological sense. Such as, "I think that guy might be an alcoholic... he has an affect." It's like a state of being or according to the dictionary, "an observed emotional response."
   
   I've only heard it talked about in reference to alcoholism, but I guess the term is more commonly used in schizophrenia.

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7. 98

   Rochelle Frankposted 13 years ago

   A lot of Native-born English speakers have trouble with this too they are easily confused because they sound so similar.
   
   As verbs affect means "to influence" and effect means "to bring about". 
   
   Effect can also be a noun that means "result", so "the effects of"  means "the results of" and would be correct.
   
   It would also be correct to say: The medicine affected him negatively-- and the medicine had a bad effect.

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8. 59

   athena2011posted 13 years ago

   Came to answer this question and read the previously given answers as I often do. Decided that they were so good I need not add to the answers. Great explanations guys. Voted a few of you up.

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9. 60

   MickSposted 13 years ago

   ' Effects of'.  Generally, it is always best not to fall into the habit of writing the 'impact of', that diisplays a lack of understanding of how to use 'effect of';  and whats going on there is everything being hit?
   Like most of English, the rules are simple but they are moveable feasts.

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