Hatrack River Writers Workshop: effect/affect

This is topic effect/affect in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Christine (Member # 1646) on :

There was a little bit of a debate about the usage of affect/effect, so I thought I'd bring it over here. These are two of the most commonly confused words in the english language, so I figure it would be good to discuss how they should be used. As a matter of fact, I'm going to wait for a grammar expert to tackle this one, because I've only got a fuzzy idea, I'm no 100% sure.

Posted by Alias (Member # 1645) on :

According to Merriem-Webster:

quote:
Main Entry: 1ef·fect
Pronunciation: i-'fekt, e-, E-
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, from Latin effectus, from efficere to bring about, from ex- + facere to make, do -- more at DO <dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=do>
1 a : PURPORT <dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=purport>, INTENT <dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=intent> b : basic meaning : ESSENCE <dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=essence>
2 : something that inevitably follows an antecedent (as a cause or agent)
3 : an outward sign : APPEARANCE <dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=appearance>
4 : ACCOMPLISHMENT <dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=accomplishment>, FULFILLMENT <dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=fulfillment>
5 : power to bring about a result : INFLUENCE <dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=influence> <the content itself of television ... is therefore less important than its effect -- Current Biography>
6 plural : movable property : GOODS <dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=goods> <personal effects>
7 a : a distinctive impression <the color gives the effect of being warm> b : the creation of a desired impression <her tears were purely for effect> c (1) : something designed to produce a distinctive or desired impression -- usually used in plural (2) plural : SPECIAL EFFECTS <dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=special+effects>
8 : the quality or state of being operative : OPERATION <dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=operation> <the law goes into effect next week>
- in effect : in substance : VIRTUALLY <dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=virtually> <the ... committee agreed to what was in effect a reduction in the hourly wage -- Current Biography>
- to the effect : with the meaning <issued a statement to the effect that he would resign>

And for "Affect"

quote:
Main Entry: 1af·fect Pronunciation: 'a-"fekt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin affectus, from afficere
1 obsolete : FEELING <dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=feeling>, AFFECTION <dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=affection>
2 : the conscious subjective aspect of an emotion considered apart from bodily changes

As you can probably see, "effect," is the most generally fitting word. Encompassing almost every scenario except where emotions and their related influence get involved, and the word becomes "affect."

[This message has been edited by Alias (edited February 23, 2004).]

Posted by Jerome Vall (Member # 1905) on :

Here's a little easier way to remember this. AFFECT means to influence or to have a bearing on, and EFFECT means to bring about, to accomplish, or to execute. Thus, "The two-party coalition effected the passage of the tax program, which will affect almost every taxpayer."

You can substitute effect with execute and affect with influence. Thus, "The two-party coalition executed the passage of the tax program, which will influence almost every taxpayer."

(I got this from Bernstein's THE CAREFUL WRITER, a very good book on English style.)

Posted by EricJamesStone (Member # 1681) on :

The main cause of confusion is that the most common use of the verb "affect" and the most common use of the noun "effect" can be used in similar situations, although because they are different parts of speech, the wording must be slightly different.

Hitting your brakes will affect your speed.
Hitting your brakes will have an effect on your speed.

to affect = to have an effect on
to effect DOES NOT EQUAL to have an affect on

Both words have other meanings, but this is where 90% of the confusion is.

Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :

That's an important point. The entire entry Alias has referenced here lacks any definition of either term used as a verb.

Eric probably has the best solution, always use 'effect' as a noun and 'affect' as a verb.

Posted by Jules (Member # 1658) on :

There are a lot of valid uses for effect as a verb, although I'll concur that most of them are rare compared to other uses.

So - if you're using effect as a verb, always double check.

Posted by Alias (Member # 1645) on :

Ah yes, POS (that's Parts of Speech and not...the other, though not entirely far off I guess)

So where could I find a credible source to back that up. I'm willing to believe what Eric said, but I would like to have it backe dup. Reference it to some source that will define each words a s a verb, rathe rthan just noun form.

Posted by EricJamesStone (Member # 1681) on :

There's a little something I like to call a "dictionary."

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=affect

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=effect

It has both the noun and verb forms of each word.