Author Topic: Affect vs. Effect (Read 4860 times)

Annie Subjunctive · « **on:** April 16, 2009, 10:20:20 AM »

I still have a hard time differentiating effect and affect as verbs. I think I understand the difference when they're nouns - effect is a result. Affect isn't used as often, and it means an affectation, n'est-ce pas?

But what's the difference between effecting something and affecting something? Can affecting something cause an effect? I think they're subtle enough that spelling/grammar checks don't catch them. What's an easy way to remember the difference?

The Genuine · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2009, 11:04:34 AM »

Effecting means you are causing/creating something.

Affecting means you are changing/altering something.

Hmm. Can't think of a good mnemonic though.

When you are effective, you are good at doing something.

When you are affected, you are deliberately being something you're not.

Hmm. Still, not sure how to memorize that other than by rote.

Porter · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2009, 11:12:44 AM »

I remember affect (to change) and effect (the change) like this : the effect.

Jonathon · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2009, 11:39:22 AM »

Unfortunately, I don't think there's an easy way to keep track of all the different meanings and forms of affect and effect.

As Jesse said, the primary meanings of each are something like "alter" and "create", respectively. But affect can also mean "to fake", as in an affectation. And then there's affect the noun, which means something else entirely.

Annie Subjunctive · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2009, 04:47:26 PM »

Can anyone use each one as a verb in a sentence?

Jonathon · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2009, 05:57:25 PM »

The congressman had a proven track record of effecting change in his district.

Even though Steve had just broken her heart, she affected a smile to show that he couldn't hurt her.

Annie Subjunctive · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2009, 06:01:32 PM »

Hmm. What if a teacher's aversion to risk is affecting her willingness to use new teaching methods?

Effecting? Affecting?

Jonathon · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2009, 06:12:46 PM »

Oh, I forgot that definition. Yes, that's affect. Effect as a verb only ever means "produce" or "create".

Annie Subjunctive · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2009, 07:19:40 PM »

OK. That's where I always get confused.

rivka · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2009, 11:02:11 PM »

Quote

And then there's affect the noun, which means something else entirely.

Right. That's the shrinky one.

The Genuine · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2009, 09:58:40 AM »

What's to tricky about it? It's entirely consistent with the adjective "affected."

rivka · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2009, 11:36:05 AM »

Not really.

His consistent lack of affect was the first clue. The pointy ears were the second . . .

Porter · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2009, 11:58:06 AM »

What does the word "affect" mean in that sentence?

rivka · « **Reply #13 on:** April 17, 2009, 12:19:16 PM »

Quote

Emotional affect is the term for emotional reactions that have a high probability of producing changes in awareness, facial expression, body language, physiological function, and behaviour.

(from here)

Or there's m-w.com's definition:

Quote

the conscious subjective aspect of an emotion considered apart from bodily changes ; also : a set of observable manifestations of a subjectively experienced emotion

Porter · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2009, 12:43:25 PM »

Dude. And I thought I had that word down.

rivka · « **Reply #15 on:** April 17, 2009, 01:17:17 PM »

I called it "shrinky" with malice aforethought. It really doesn't get a whole lot of use outside of psychiatry/psychology. So you'd need to know it to read a Dr. Sacks book, f'rinstance.

Annie Subjunctive · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2009, 01:43:44 PM »

Quote

Dude. And I thought I had that word down.

See? It's the verbal equivalent of a tapeworm.

pooka · « **Reply #17 on:** May 12, 2009, 01:56:34 PM »

I could give you a failproof mnemonic, but it's potentially offensive. Consider yourselves warned.

I think it was my husband used to call the local food mart the mood fart. This got turned into the affectation flatulation. It's a helpful way to remember that affect = mood.

Annie Subjunctive · « **Reply #18 on:** May 12, 2009, 06:26:47 PM »

I am so offended.

Nay, I am SHOCKED and APPALLED.

rivka · « **Reply #19 on:** May 12, 2009, 06:35:32 PM »

*takes note of Annie's affected affect*

Neutros the Radioactive Dragon · « **Reply #20 on:** May 13, 2009, 09:45:16 AM »

That is an interesting effect that post produced.

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #21 on:** December 22, 2009, 02:19:10 AM »

I'm irritated that "speech" is spelled with a double "e" and "speak" is spelled with an "ea". If it weren't for Spellcheck, I'd be making errors with these all the time.

Who's responsible for this? And how can we get the problem fixed? Would y'all be willing to sign a petition? And tell me whom I should be petitioning?

Jonathon · « **Reply #22 on:** December 22, 2009, 11:26:54 AM »

They're spelled differently because they used to be pronounced differently. After the Great Vowel Shift they ended up with the same vowel.

But what does this have to do with affect and effect?

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #23 on:** December 22, 2009, 01:21:52 PM »

I hated to start another thread, and since "affect" and "effect" differ by an "a" and an "e", I figured it was close enough.

I guess I figured wrong.

Annie Subjunctive · « **Reply #24 on:** December 22, 2009, 02:30:02 PM »

I was actually thinking about making a post about Alf vs. Elf for the same reasons, so you're good, Shvester.