Thanks, now explain the explination.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the distinction between the terms "affect" and "effect," focusing on their grammatical roles and usage in writing. Participants explore the definitions, provide examples, and share personal writing experiences, leading to a nuanced examination of the terms' meanings and implications.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that "affect" is a verb meaning to influence, while "effect" is a noun referring to the result of an action.
  • Others argue that "to effect" can also be a verb, meaning to cause something to happen, which leads to confusion about the terms' usage.
  • A participant questions whether one can say "to effect," prompting further clarification on its validity in different contexts.
  • There is a humorous exchange about the application of these terms in a fictional scenario involving a mosquito and malaria.
  • Some participants express differing views on the use of "effect" as a verb, with one stating they have not encountered it outside of technical writing.
  • Examples are provided to illustrate the difference between affecting something and effecting something, with some participants clarifying their understanding of these concepts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the usage of "effect" as a verb, with some asserting its validity while others remain skeptical. The discussion reflects multiple competing views on the definitions and applications of "affect" and "effect."

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the definitions and usage of the terms, indicating a reliance on personal interpretation and context. The discussion highlights the complexity of English grammar and the potential for misunderstanding.

Who May Find This Useful

Writers, students, and anyone interested in the nuances of English grammar and language usage may find this discussion beneficial.

tribdog
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I write short stories every once in a while and I ran into the affect/effect problem. I don't know which one to use, but the notebook I'm using to write in has some grammar rules on the back cover. Here is what it says:
to "affect" is to influence, to "effect" is to cause
:confused:
 
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I'm a harsh critic of my own writing but i recently wrote two sentences that are awesome. the rest of the story wasn't that good, but I'm so in love with the last two lines I have to share them:
"I love you," I said. "Please don't ever leave me."
She said, "Sorry," and went home to her husband.

Now that's good writing. The story I'm working on right now is about a guy watching a telethon for people with tourette's syndrome, but the people manning the phone lines are sufferers. When he tries to make a donation he just ends up in a fight with the operator.
 
Well the way I see it is that you/someone/something affects something
but something causes the effect of something. It really depends on what you are saying
 
affect is a verb...affect is synonymous with influence.

effect is a noun. It is what results from some action or cause...

one is a verb...the other is a noun...that should clear it up.
 
leright said:
affect is a verb...affect is synonymous with influence.

effect is a noun. It is what results from some action or cause...

one is a verb...the other is a noun...that should clear it up.

Quite wrong. "To effect" is a verb as well.
 
Rach3 said:
Quite wrong. "To effect" is a verb as well.
Can you really say "To effect"?... really?:confused:
 
so do I say the mosquito affected me with malaria or effected me with malaria? and it gave me a bad ear affection/effection

lol, just kidding. wouldn't that be funny though
 
tribdog said:
so do I say the mosquito affected me with malaria or effected me with malaria?
Did the mosquito influence you or did it cause you?
 
  • #10
moose said:
Can you really say "To effect"?... really?:confused:
Yes you can. (When you see 'effect' as a transitive verb, think along the lines of 'accomplish').
Eg: to effect the disarmament; to effect its conclusion.
 
  • #11
tribdog said:
I'm a harsh critic of my own writing but i recently wrote two sentences that are awesome. the rest of the story wasn't that good, but I'm so in love with the last two lines I have to share them:
"I love you," I said. "Please don't ever leave me."
She said, "Sorry," and went home to her husband.

Now that's good writing.
Yes it is.
Cut the rest of the story.
Not all stories need to be long, in particular the short ones.
 
  • #12
arildno said:
Not all stories need to be long, in particular the short ones.
are you absolutely sure the short ones don't need to be long?
 
  • #13
tribdog said:
so do I say the mosquito affected me with malaria or effected me with malaria? and it gave me a bad ear affection/effection

lol, just kidding. wouldn't that be funny though
You'd say the mosquito infected you with malaria. :biggrin: :devil:

An effect is a result. So, a cause leads to an effect.

To affect something is to influence the cause (more or less). You can affect something that leads to an effect.

But, effect can also be a verb, and means to cause something to happen. You can effect an effect. :biggrin: I haven't run into the verb "to effect" in anything other than technical writing. I don't think people use it in normal conversation.
 
  • #14
Hey, Moonbear! Is it really possible to effect an effect? :wink:
 
  • #15
Moonbear said:
You'd say the mosquito infected you with malaria. :biggrin: :devil:

An effect is a result. So, a cause leads to an effect.

To affect something is to influence the cause (more or less). You can affect something that leads to an effect.

But, effect can also be a verb, and means to cause something to happen. You can effect an effect. :biggrin: I haven't run into the verb "to effect" in anything other than technical writing. I don't think people use it in normal conversation.

so you're saying the verb usage of effect is the same thing as the verb usage of affect?

If I am referring to the act of making something happen or the act of making some change, I use the verb affect. If I am referring to the result of some cause, I use the noun effect. I never use effect as a verb, even in scientific papers.
 
  • #16
leright said:
so you're saying the verb usage of effect is the same thing as the verb usage of affect?
Nope. Changing something (affecting it) is not the same as causing something to happen (effecting it). Can be quite the opposite sometimes.

Example: "He effected the transition" vs "he affected the transition".
 
Last edited:
  • #17
Gokul43201 said:
Nope. Changing something (affecting it) is not the same as causing something to happen (effecting it). Can be quite the opposite sometimes.

Example: "He effected the transition" vs "he affected the transition".

ah, that clarifies. Thanks.
 

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