Apr 24


Help!

by Terry 24 April 2007


I need the Grammar Patrol. Can anyone give me an easy rule on when to use affect/effect? Every time I need one of those words I look it up on Merriam-Webster, and even from the definitions I can’t figure it out. Help, please?

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8 Comments

8 Responses to “Help!”

  1. Ahistoricality on April 24th, 2007 1:09 pm

    If it has an effect, it affects something.

    For most purposes, effect is a noun, and affect is a verb.

    That’s as far as I go in the Grammar Patrol game: I now pass it off so the more writerly readers to complicate and clarify things.  (Quote)

  2. Bluegrass Poet on April 24th, 2007 3:22 pm

    I would say, Ahistorically, that no complication is necessary. Effect is usually a noun. Affect is usually a verb. Other uses of these two words are esoteric and one probably need not worry about them.  (Quote)

  3. *** Dave on April 24th, 2007 8:37 pm

    Something *has* an effect.
    Something *affects* something else.

    (Or, to complicate things further, a person can have low *affect*, in terms of demonstration of emotional reaction, but that’s a more specialized use.)

    (And someone can *effect* something, in terms of effecting a rescue. Again, not as common a use.)  (Quote)

  4. Burrow on April 24th, 2007 9:33 pm

    Effect means “to bring about”
    Affect means “to influence”

    You need Strunk & White’s Elements of Style (everyone does)  (Quote)

  5. Sage on April 25th, 2007 11:53 am

    I have issues with this one too, so I use the rule, if I can put “an” or “the” infront of it, I should use “effect” (because it’s a noun, like everyone said, but I don’t typically think of words as parts of speech like that).  (Quote)

  6. Terry on April 25th, 2007 3:44 pm

    Thanks, everyone! Noun/verb – I can handle that. I like the “the” suggestion, too, Sage. That’s going to be very helpful.  (Quote)

  7. Little Ms. Blog on April 26th, 2007 2:52 am

    I know you already have the whole effect/affect puzzle figured out, Terry, but there’s this great podcast on affect/effect at
    Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tricks to Better Writing Check it out: I like her humor! My students love her!  (Quote)

  8. Terry on April 26th, 2007 2:01 pm

    Looks like a great resource, Ms. Blog – I’ll check it out. Thanks!  (Quote)

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