Quirks of English

--for those who speak English as their second language or who just want to improve their writing

(Text-only version of Quirks of English)

Affect or Effect

Effect is a noun that means result.

• Figure 4 shows the effects of doing the test at higher pressures.
• December's streak of 23 cloudy days had a strange effect on her.

Affect is usually a verb. To affect something is to influence it.

• All departments were affected by the recent budget cuts.

Less frequently, it can also mean to make a display of or to put on a pretense.

• He affected an air of importance.

Rarely, affect is used as a noun that means feeling or affectation.

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Last updated: 1/20/2009