(no subject)

[sageandsea]

Argh!

affect vs effect - does anyone have a quick explanation of which is right in which circumstance, something mnemonic I can remember (like "i before e")?

Comments

not sure it helps but

[taoskye.livejournal.com]

If you're going to do it, use "Affect." If it's something already done, use "effect." Thats really basic, but there is a decent article on it here.

[oddharmonic.livejournal.com]

affect designates action.
effect denotes an entity.

[toratigris.livejournal.com]

I don't know of a mnemonic, sadly. Unless used in technical psychological terms, "affect" is always a verb. "Effect" is typically a noun (the result of a cause), although it *can* be a verb meaning to bring something about, create. Unfortunately, both words have multiple meanings, and some of them are very similar. I'd say consult a dictionary when unsure.

[straif.livejournal.com]

"affect" is always a verb

Nope. It can also be a noun meaning "emotion".

[cissa.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've ever heard "affect" used as a noun outside a psychological context ( or humorously by people within one). And it seems to have meant "displayed emotion" when used in that context with K.

[toratigris.livejournal.com]

Apparently you missed my "Unless used in technical psychological terms" which preceded the part you quoted. Possessing a degree in psychology, I do indeed know that "affect" is used to refer to emotions in psychological terms, such as "seasonal affective disorder". However, it is not a term in common use outside a psychological context (and even my Webster's dictionary specifically says this) so, my rule applies -- "affect" is always a verb, unless used as a technical term in a specifically psychological context.

[straif.livejournal.com]

Yep. I did. That's what I get for posting while way too tired.

[weofodthignen]

No mnemonic, sadly, but this is how it works.

Basic level:
When you affect something, you have an effect on it--which is why something that works well is effective.
Advanced level (the words one can survive without knowing):
In psychotherapy, attention to affect is one dimension of effecting therapeutic change, which is why emotional issues are called affective problems.

M