Word Choice Effect vs. Affect - Proofread My Paper

Word Choice Effect vs. Affect - Proofread My Paper Word Choice: Effect vs. Affect Despite the fact that effect is usually a noun and affect is primarily a verb, many people confuse these words. To avoid making this mistake, you should try to learn which is which. Luckily, this is fairly straightforward. Effect The word effect is usually a noun and means consequence or result. It can be used in a sentence like this: The effects of sun damage are long lasting. Effects can also sometimes mean personal items, as in I will gather my effects and then we can go. You should be able to discern the correct meaning from the context. Less commonly, effect can be used as a verb meaning cause to happen, such as in: The changes were effected throughout the company. Affect The word affect is usually a verb, meaning change or influence. For example: New strings on a violin affect the quality of the tone produced. It can also be used to describe emotional response, as in: He was deeply affected by what he saw. As a related noun, affect refers to the observable manifestations of an emotion, but this is mostly confined to psychology. Be aware that the word affected can mean put on a display or pretend something. If someone doesnt want to show that they are offended, for instance, we might say that they affected a show of nonchalance to hide their real feelings. Effect or Affect? These terms are confusing because they sound so similar and both can be used when discussing a change. The vital thing to remember here is that effect is usually a noun and affect is typically a verb. As such, if youre referring to the change itself, the term youll need is effect (e.g., the effects of stress can be devastating to your health). On the other hand, if youre referring to the act of causing a change, the word youll usually need is affect (e.g., stress can seriously affect your health).