What's the best way to know when to use the word "effect" vs "affect" in writing

1. 85

   K9keystrokesposted 13 years ago

   What's the best way to know when to use the word "effect" vs "affect" in writing?
   
   This one has always given me trouble; when is it a noun, when is it a verb, and can both words be used as noun and verb?

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2. 79

   Victoria Lynnposted 13 years ago

   The interesting thing is that both "effect" and "affect" can be used as nouns AND verbs.
   
   "Effect" is a noun when used to talk about results, such as in "the effect the tornado had on the town." "Effect," as a verb, means to cause something to happen, as in a politician hoping that he can "effect change," or cause change.
   "Affect" is used as a noun in the sentence, "Unemotional as always, the man had a flat affect." (referring to facial expression)
   "Affect" as a verb refers to how something influences, or affects, someone, as in "His harsh words affected her deeply."
   Okay, so there's a basic explanation. As far as remembering when to use which, one thing that might help is that the word beginning in "a" refers to emotions, while "e" refers more to facts. See the sentences above and see if you agree.
   If you need further help remembering, relate "affect" to emotion by thinking of angry, afraid, addled, and whatever other adjectives (another "a" word is adjective) you can get in your head to help you remember that the "a" word relates to emotions.
   As far as the "e" word, think of "examples," another "e" word that is more factual than emotional.
   
   Great question. These words sure can confuse people. Hope this helps.

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   1. 79

      Victoria Lynnposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yea!! Glad you liked my answer!

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   2. 85

      K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Your answer rocks Victoria! Thanks for the help!

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3. 79

   Victoria Lynnposted 13 years ago

   When do you use "affect" vs" "effect"? Read for an explanation, plus examples and ways to remember when to use these confusing words. read more

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4. 60

   MickSposted 13 years ago

   More often then not, if you find you want to use the horrendous word, impact, and have what you are asking about hitting things (what is the impact of...?) it is usually ok to use effect.

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5. 79

   alancaster149posted 13 years ago

   You can try to affect the outcome of a test
   by doing your best,
   but there's no way of knowing the effect it can have on the tester;
   you can be 'affected',
   a snob par excellence,
   and you can see the effect it has on your neighbours
   when they leave before they've had their siesta.

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6. 0

   shahirslmn87posted 13 years ago

   Affect and Effect seems very closely related but they are entirely different.
   
   Meaning:
   Affect (verb) To influence something without causing it to happen.
   Effect (noun) Is the result that was accomplished or to directly cause something.
   
   We can see that
   Affect is 'an Action' or 'an influence'.
   Effect is 'an End result' or 'a result'

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7. 84

   cclitgirlposted 13 years ago

   Well, my dear, it appears that in all of my hubbing, other wonderful hubbers beat me to the answer.  I love what they all have to say.  So, I'll just part with this:
   
   I hope that the positive effects I feel as a writer
   Will one day affect my readers as satisfactorily
   As the great Authors. 
   
   

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8. 61

   RMfreelancewriterposted 13 years ago

   By the action the word expresses.
   
   The effect of rain with thunder and lightening affects his mood.

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9. 61

   royalblkroseposted 13 years ago

   know the meanings of the words....
   dictionary.com has this meaning for "effect"
   ef·fect[ih-fekt] Show IPA
   noun
   1.something that is produced by an agency or cause; result; consequence: Exposure to the sun had the effect of toughening his skin.
   2.power to produce results; efficacy; force; validity; influence: His protest had no effect.
   3.the state of being effective  or operative; operation or execution; accomplishment or fulfillment: to bring a plan into effect.
   4.a mental or emotional impression produced, as by a painting or a speech.
   5.meaning or sense; purpose or intention: She disapproved of the proposal and wrote to that effect.
   EXPAND
   verb (used with object)
   10.to produce as an effect;  bring about; accomplish; make happen: The new machines finally effected the transition to computerized accounting last spring.
   and this is the dictionary.com meaning for the word "affect"
   1 [v. uh-fekt; n. af-ekt] Show IPA verb (used with object)
   1.to act on; produce an effect or change in: Cold weather affected the crops.
   2.to impress the mind or move the feelings of: The music affected him deeply.
   3.(of pain, disease, etc.) to attack or lay hold of.
   noun
   4.Psychology . feeling or emotion.
   5.Psychiatry . an expressed or observed emotional response: Restricted, flat, or blunted affect may be a symptom of mental illness, especially schizophrenia.
   6.Obsolete . affection;  passion; sensation; inclination; inward disposition or feeling.
   and once you know the meaning of the words.... use synonyms of the words in the sentence you are using them in

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