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affect and effect

affect and effect

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rc

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Can someone explain, illustrate and make a practical application of the difference between affect and effect. Honestly I have tried to look up articles on-line but still have trouble grasping the subtle differences. I remain capable of rational thought - thanks in advance - Robbie.

divegeester
watching in dismay

STARMERGEDDON

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Originally posted by robbie carrobie
Can someone explain, illustrate and make a practical application of the difference between affect and effect. Honestly I have tried to look up articles on-line but still have trouble grasping the subtle differences. I remain capable of rational thought - thanks in advance - Robbie.
"An effect" of something, is a specific observable change.

"To affect" something is a non-specific change.

E.g.

The effect of doing X to Z was Y

Doing X may affect Z and the effect could be Y

Kewpie
Felis Australis

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2 edits

Affect, noun - a psychiatrist's word, not used in everyday English.

Affect, verb - to cause a change.
Effect, noun - a result.
These two can be tied together. To affect means to have an effect.

Effect, verb - to carry out.


Yet another trap for unwary ESL speakers.

rc

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Originally posted by Kewpie
Affect, noun - a psychiatrist's word, not used in everyday English.

Affect, verb - to cause a change.
Effect, noun - a result.
These two can be tied together. To affect means to have an effect.

Effect, verb - to carry out.


Yet another trap for unwary ESL speakers.
ok but that's not helping.

rc

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Originally posted by divegeester
"An effect" of something, is a specific observable change.

"To affect" something is a non-specific change.

E.g.

The effect of doing X to Z was Y

Doing X may affect Z and the effect could be Y
this is equally as confusing and not very helpful.

s
Granny

Parts Unknown

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3 edits

The moon affects the tides.
The moon has an effect on the tides.
The effect of the moon on tides is well-documented.
My affect is affected by the moon.

Granny.

s
Fast and Curious

slatington, pa, usa

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Originally posted by robbie carrobie
this is equally as confusing and not very helpful.
Here is a link to a worksheet about the two:

http://www.k12reader.com/worksheet/commonly-confused-words-worksheet-affect-vs-effect/view/

My example: He started to talk but he had an affect that made him stutter.

Stuttering had the effect of reducing his ability to communicate.

rookie54
free tazer tickles..

wildly content...

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i'd like to have an effect on robbie,
so yall quit tryin to help him!!!
his tawdry stance is naught but affect,
and his lying is definitely a sin...

s
Fast and Curious

slatington, pa, usa

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Originally posted by rookie54
i'd like to have an effect on robbie,
so yall quit tryin to help him!!!
his tawdry stance is naught but affect,
and his lying is definitely a sin...
Pejorative but correct English, mostly.

rookie54
free tazer tickles..

wildly content...

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Originally posted by sonhouse
Pejorative but correct English, mostly.
i'm hot for teacher...

s
Fast and Curious

slatington, pa, usa

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Originally posted by rookie54
i'm hot for teacher...
So much for the correct English.

Ghost of a Duke

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Originally posted by robbie carrobie
Can someone explain, illustrate and make a practical application of the difference between affect and effect. Honestly I have tried to look up articles on-line but still have trouble grasping the subtle differences. I remain capable of rational thought - thanks in advance - Robbie.
To make things easier I have put the wheels in motion to eliminate the word 'affect' from the English language.

It is possible the Queen will ignore my letter.

JS357

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Do a search on affect effect.

HandyAndy
Read a book!

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Originally posted by robbie carrobie
Can someone explain, illustrate and make a practical application of the difference between affect and effect. Honestly I have tried to look up articles on-line but still have trouble grasping the subtle differences. I remain capable of rational thought - thanks in advance - Robbie.
Even though both affect and effect can be either verb or noun,
think of affect as primarily a verb, and effect as primarily a noun.

F

Unknown Territories

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Originally posted by Kewpie
Affect, noun - a psychiatrist's word, not used in everyday English.

Affect, verb - to cause a change.
Effect, noun - a result.
These two can be tied together. To affect means to have an effect.

Effect, verb - to carry out.


Yet another trap for unwary ESL speakers.
ESL writers, perhaps.
Speakers couldn't really distinguish.

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