Have you noticed this?

honestrosewater

Why is everyone suddenly using "affect" instead of "effect"? I know it's language and blah blah it changes. But has anyone noticed this, or is it just me? I rarely ever used to see anyone use "affect", and now I see it all the time- when "effect" makes perfect sense.

Justin Lazear

In what instances? Sometimes "affect" is the correct word, and sometimes "effect" is the correct word. Naturally, most of the English speakers in the world have no idea that they are not the same word, so it can be pretty irritating if it's one of your pet peeves.

--J

Soilwork

Yeah Justin is right.
You're probably just seeing people using it in a sense where it is the correct word to use instead of affect.
Although I'd probably bank on the fact that it might be someone who just doesn't know the difference between to the two words.

honestrosewater

Well, I guess using "affect" as a noun when they mean "effect". For instance, google "affect on"- over a million hits. Bah, I never paid much attention to the difference, but now it's on my list. No one taught us this in school. Or I was absent that day. Anyway, I'm not really talking about improper use, just that people are using "affect" more than usual. I'm seeing "effect" less and "affect" more.

dextercioby

You people ought to read books and stop thinking about all sorts of **** during the English classes.

Else,don't go to school,especially since it's not free,nor compulsory.

Daniel.

whozum

Note dex's meticulous attention to grammar during this specific post

honestrosewater

It does make sense that as I read more advanced writing, in a more formal setting, I would see "affect" more often, since I think a lot of people are more comfortable with "effect" and use it more often. I used "effect" more often myself, not really thinking about which was correct (until this morning).

dextercioby

I always pay attention to grammar.Spelling can be screwed up from time to time,but i may have the excuse of (English) not being my native language.

As for effect vs. affect,it's simply LAME.

Daniel.

honestrosewater

Grammar school is compulsory. And it's something I noticed while I was reading books. And I'm checking to see if others have made the same observation. So Of course, I appreciate your words of wisdom as always.

Justin Lazear

Well, the next time you start examining the effects of your particle accelerator bunny exterminator on cute pink flying bunny rabbits and wish it could effect them more, don't come complaining to me when you drown in your own pool of rabbits.

--J

dextercioby

*wondering* Should I tell'im ?

Affect (v. t.) To act upon; to produce an effect or change upon.

Daniel.

P.S.honestlyrosewater,I appreciate your kind words and your irony...

Justin Lazear

Don't worry, dex, it was intentional.

tr.v. ef·fect·ed, ef·fect·ing, ef·fects

1. To bring into existence.

--J

zoobyshoe

Did you get it yet, dexter, or should we tell you?

zoobyshoe

I'm not exactly sure what you're saying.

I've noticed that people misuse both word here all the time, thinking, I suppose, that they're interchangable, which they aren't. The confusion probably results from the obvious fact that the pronounciation is the same.

Did you know that "affect" is also a noun, with the accent on the first syllable?

arildno

"Conan the Barbarian effected his entrance into the Temple of Doom by lopping off the high priest's head. This action affected the high priest's health in a grievous manner"

honestrosewater

Yes, but that was the only part of the definition I remembered reading, and I knew what "effect" meant, so I would just use "effect". It never bothered me and doesn't really bother me now. I had just noticed "affect" being used more than I had seen it used a couple years ago. This is probably just because I am reading more formal works where the mistake is less likely. So it was probably just because of a change in my reading habits, not a change in other people's writing habits.

Anyway, don't keep me hanging. What happens to the bunnies?

Oh, I didn't know the pronunciation. I never really use "affect" as a noun.

bross7

Some probably don't know that they are making the mistake (due to English as alternate [not necessarily 2nd] language)
Others because they just don't know the difference (English first language)

And probably more, out of laziness for not spellchecking their post because the figure the affect that their misuse of the words will not effect the posting community.