Tip 640: Troublesome Words Five: Affect and Effect 1.0

Continuing with Troublesome Words: "Affect" and "Effect"

We’ve received requests to explore specific troublesome words.

Our friend Michelle Wallace asked us to explore the differences beween affect and effect. 

There’s bad news and good news about affect and effect. 

The bad news is that each word has two definitions. (No wonder it’s confusing.) 

The good news is that the second definition of each word is so specialized, so narrow, we can (almost) ignore it. 

Let’s talk about the first definition for each word. 

Affect

Affect is a verb. An action word. It means “to influence, change, or act upon.” 

How might you best remember it? Think of the a in affect as standing for action. 

For example— 

The pay raise affected (influenced, touched, acted upon) everyone in the company. Everyone bought Ferraris. 

The blast affected (influenced, touched, acted upon) the entire block. It blew out every window.

Effect

Effect is a noun. A thing. It means “result, consequence, or outcome.” 

How might you best remember it? Think of “The effect.” The ending e in the links to the beginning e in effect.

For example— 

The effect (result, consequence, outcome) of the pay raise was unprecedented. Everyone bought Ferraris. 

The effect (result, consequence, outcome) of the blast was catastrophic. It blew out every window.

How’s that? 

Next week, we’ll continue our discussion and explore the second, specialized, narrow definitions. Hey. We love this stuff.

And thank you, Michelle.