When you are tempted to use effect as a verb, ask yourself if the phrase “bring about” makes sense in its place. Webster’s tells us that the verb effect means “to cause to come into being” or “to bring about, often by surmounting obstacles.” Nouns are also used as objects of prepositions as in sentences 2 and 3 (“for effect,” “into effect”). Sentence 1 provides an example of such a construction. In our effort to clarify the difference between the most common uses of effect and affect, we can remember that the noun effect often will follow an article (“an effect,” “the effect”) or an adjective (“negative effect,” “positive effect”). Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (10th edition) lists eight different meanings for the noun effect, three of which are used in sentences 1, 2, and 3. In most situations, we use effect as a noun and affect as a verb, but unfortunately the distinction is not that simple. The psychologist on the witness stand noted the alleged murderer’s disturbing affect during the confession.Īll of these sentences correctly distinguish between effect and affect.The elderly couple next door was severely affected by the cold this winter.Rising oil prices affect nearly everyone.The trade embargo effected the rise in oil prices.The new policies go into effect next month.
0 kommentar(er)
