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Pedants' corner

Effect/Affect

(16 Posts)
MissAdventure Tue 03-Dec-24 10:14:04

Could someone explain to me, please, with examples, of how these words are used?

I don't remember having to stop and think about which to use, so, I'm either losing my grip, or I've spent years happily using the wrong one, and upsetting pedants.

JackyB Tue 03-Dec-24 10:24:32

Affect is the verb.

The way you walk into a room will affect the way people react to you.
This camp weather affects my aching bones.
Putting salt into water affects its freezing point.

Effect is the noun.

What sort of effect does lavender oil have on your sleep?
A big smile can have a surprising effect - you can light up a room or endear a person to you.
Salt has the effect of lowering the freezing point of water.I
This law comes into effect at midnight.

Effect can also be a verb meaning to initiate something of cause something to happen. Most often "to effect a change" in something.

JackyB Tue 03-Dec-24 10:26:05

"damp" weather, of course. Can't begin to imagine what sort of effect camp weather would have!

MissAdventure Tue 03-Dec-24 10:27:02

Thank you.
I'll try and get that info into my brain and see what effect (?) it has.

MissAdventure Tue 03-Dec-24 10:29:20

grin
Camp weather would probably bring out John Inman.

Mollygo Tue 03-Dec-24 10:32:15

We were taught that affect was a verb, so the weather can affect your plans for the day or
the budget will affect prices in a negative way.
SAD affects the way you feel.
Effect is a noun ^ Getting a pay rise has a positive effect on my mood. That effect lasts until I find out how the budget affects the amount I get.
There’ll be lots of other suggestions to come.

JackyB Tue 03-Dec-24 10:33:57

Sorry I can't think of a mnemonic to help. Just emphasising the "a" or the "e" when you read or say the word might help.

I always think of "The butterfly Effect" to reassure myself I've got the right one. "Butterfly Affect" just sounds wrong.

MissAdventure Tue 03-Dec-24 10:35:01

The more the merrier, thanks. smile
I'm back to feeling a bit like I did at school when pretending I understood.

Teachers had that effect (?) on me.

MissAdventure Tue 03-Dec-24 10:36:43

JackyB

Sorry I can't think of a mnemonic to help. Just emphasising the "a" or the "e" when you read or say the word might help.

I always think of "The butterfly Effect" to reassure myself I've got the right one. "Butterfly Affect" just sounds wrong.

Yes, that what I've always done, I think.
I'm just not sure I've been doing it right anymore, if I ever was.

RosiesMaw2 Tue 03-Dec-24 10:42:51

Maybe think “a” for “action” to affect something and “e” for “end result” - as in “the overall effect was….”
A bit tenuous I know but I did try!

MissAdventure Tue 03-Dec-24 10:53:35

Ooh yes, but I think that has sunk in! smile
Thanks RosiesMaw2."

By jove! I think I've got it, so thank you all.

ferry23 Tue 03-Dec-24 11:30:34

Oh MissA - your last sentence must be the My Fair Lady effect wink

yogitree Tue 03-Dec-24 11:42:11

I love/hate this thread! This one always confuses me too MissAdventure! It really 'affects'? me!

MissAdventure Tue 03-Dec-24 12:26:41

So it has a bad effect on your overall mood? smile
When did it get so complicated?

AuntieE Tue 03-Dec-24 12:51:47

The effect upon you of something or someone affects that way you react to it or them.

Pedantic? Yes, this is Pedant's corner!

MissAdventure Tue 03-Dec-24 12:57:28

smile
Are you saying, in a roundabout way, that I got it wrong?
If so, I need it spelled out, qbecuase I didn't understand what you said.

I won't be offended.