Last week I was sidetracked by the pedagogical uses of my earlier dew point post, but this week I’m back on track with the common mix-ups.  A reader asked for a clarification of EFFECT and AFFECT, and I promised to provide one, and I haven’t forgotten.  So without more ado, let’s jump into it.

You may have seen the EFFECT/AFFECT problem addressed elsewhere.  Or anyway, I’ve seen more than one Facebook meme that does so.  These explanations usually oversimplify the issue by simply saying that EFFECT is a noun, and AFFECT is a verb.

This is wrong.  If it were this simple, most people wouldn’t struggle with these words.  Some still would, of course, but I feel pretty confident in saying that most wouldn’t.  I have a suspicion that the people who try to oversimplify it have one of four possible motives.   Either

1)      They’re lazy, or

2)      They’re unaware of the real differences, or

3)      They’re not confident in their ability to explain the real differences, or

4)      They assume their readers are not bright enough to understand the real differences.

I honestly don’t believe it’s #1 or #2.  If it were #1, they wouldn’t bother trying at all.  And if it’s #2, they’re in the wrong business.  Seriously.

So I figure it’s got to be either #3 or #4.  If it’s #3, then again, they shouldn’t be trying at all.  IMO, of course.  The very least they should do is qualify it and say that MOST of the time, EFFECT is a noun and AFFECT is a verb.  At least that would be accurate.

So I’m left with #4.  And I find that insulting, and so should you.  It’s arrogant.  A writer should have confidence in the intelligence of her audience.  And a writer should tell the truth.

And the truth is, it CAN be confusing, and it’s NOT that simple.

But I DO have confidence in people’s ability to understand the REAL differences, so without further ado, here they are.

For starters, BOTH words can be (and are used as) both nouns and verbs.

This is why they’re confusing.  Period.  So let’s try to relieve some of the confusion.

1A.  EFFECT is most often used as a noun.   Examples:

  • What is the effect of gamma rays on man-in-the-moon marigolds?
  • In many parts of the San Fernando Valley, the physical and psychological effects of the 1994 Northridge earthquake are still evident.
  • One effect of the earthquake was a pervading feeling of terror among local residents.

In all of these cases, EFFECT is a noun.  It means RESULT.  You can try substituting RESULT (or RESULTS), and you should be good to go.  One RESULT of the earthquake was . . . .  (See?  It makes sense!)

Another test is to try inserting an article in front of the word.  If you can say THE EFFECT or AN EFFECT, you’re on the right track.  You can’t add an article to a verb; if you do, you’ve turned it into a noun (in “the RUN for the presidency,” RUN is a noun, not a verb).

 

1B.  EFFECT is also often used as a verb, and this is where a lot of the confusion arises.  As a verb, it means to bring about.  Examples:

  • The chairperson was hoping her new team would be able to effect a change in protocol.
  • One of the foundation’s primary goals is to effect a better understanding of male and female behavior.

TESTS:  I can think of three ways to check for correct usage of EFFECT as a verb:

  • You’ll notice that in both of the above examples, EFFECT is preceded by TO.  This is because EFFECT, when used as a verb, is often used in its infinitive form.  You can try inserting the infinitive (TO EFFECT) and see if it makes sense in your sentence.
  • Try substituting TO BRING ABOUT.  (The chairperson was hoping her new team would be able to bring about a change in protocol.)
  • EFFECT can also be tested by adding ING, which creates a gerund (ex. “Effecting change is one of the candidate’s primary purposes in seeking political office”).  You cannot add ING to a noun.

 

2A.  AFFECT is most often used as a verb, and it can be used two ways.  Again, this causes confusion.

First, it means to have an influence on.  Examples:

  • The gloomy weather negatively affects (has a negative influence on) my mood.
  • A teacher’s demeanor in the classroom can often affect student success rates.  (It can also HAVE AN EFFECT ON student success rates.  Do you see the difference?  The first example (can affect) is a verb.  The second one (has an effect on) is a noun.)

Second, it means to adopt.  Example:

  • In order to impress people at the party with her sophistication, she affected a British accent.

2B.  AFFECT is rarely used as a noun, at least not in day-to-day conversation.  My thesaurus doesn’t even offer suggestions for AFFECT as a noun, but it basically means attitude or appearance.  It’s also sometimes used in psychology to indicate an emotional state, but honestly, this usage (as a noun) is very probably not where you’re experiencing your confusion.

Example:  I had a heck of a time coming up with any.  Let’s go with this one:

  • The patient’s affect was one of anxiety and exhaustion.

FYI:  When AFFECT is used as a noun, the stress is on the first syllable (AF-fect).  Hear the pronunciation here:  http://www.merriam-webster.com/audio.php?file=affect01&word=affect&text=%5C%3Cspan%20class%3D%22unicode%22%3E%CB%88%3C%2Fspan%3Ea-%3Cspan%20class%3D%22unicode%22%3E%CB%8C%3C%2Fspan%3Efekt%5C

I’m going to close this post with a little quiz so you can test yourself:

1.  I wasn’t sure how my new medication was going to (effect, affect) me.

2.  I was worried about the potentially negative (effects, affects) of my new medication.

3.  I hope this post helps to (effect, affect) a better understanding of the uses of EFFECT and AFFECT.

Wait for it . . .

Wait for it . . .

Oh, you want the answers?

Waaaaait for it . . . . . .

Ah, here they are.

Answers:  1. Affect.  2.  Effects. 3.  Effect.

How did you do?