Here is the key: affect=change/influence and effect=produce/result in "Environmentalists are investigating the ways in which the oceans ____ the environment" Which sounds better, "change the environment", or "produce the environment"? Obviously it is "change", so you use 'affect' because affect=change. If your sentence is "ability to ____ the outcome" do you mean "change the outcome", or do you mean "produce the outcome"? Obviously you mean "change" so you would use the word 'affect', because affect=change, and effect=produce. If the sentence is, "she still needs to know about changes because it _____ her budget", which fits better "changes her budget" or "results in her budget"? Obviously she needs to know how changes will change/influence/have a consequence upon her budget, so you would use 'affect' because affect=change. If the sentence is "Have _____ a payment", do you mean "changed a payment" or "results in a payment"? Obviously it is "results in a payment" so the correct word is 'effect' because effect=produces/results in.

Sonia; I think that the last affect should be effect because it is the result. Affect is the cause. Effect is the result.

ROBERTA : Affect is the cause Effect is the result. Affected staff

Great ideas. Another help is to think A, B, sees i.e. A first letter of affect B last letter of verb Affect is usually the verb.

I NEVER knew the differece between those words and thanks to Grammar Girl I now know! I was always writing the wrong ones in grade school to high school, and I just decided to look the difference of them up, and thankfully I found Grammar Girl! Thanks!

Grammar Girl, you still didn't directly respond to a question about affected/effected as participles. I'm struggling over an email to staff--do I use "effected staff" or "affected staff" when referring to staff for whom a certain criteria applies. Thanks for your assistance on this!

i want to know what the different of the meaning of present perfect and present perfect progressive. present perfect: have verb+ed present perfectprogressive : have been verb+ing

Wow! That really helps!

Hello Grammar Girl! I have this sentence. Its totally confusing me. He has the ability to affect the outcome, but he is not likely to take that chance. tell me about this affect? it is ok or effect should be there? Thanks

Sorry, but I have one question about using these words. The sentence is 'Environmentalists are investigating the ways in which the oceans AFFECT/EFFECT the climate' What is better to use? I really need help.

Cultured Kidz thinks Grammar Girl ROCKS!

THANK YOU! That's been driving me nuts!

I love this Grammer Girl website. It has affected me in a in a postive way.

Those two words have been haunting me for the my last three years in college. Your answer helped me almost instantly to define the two. Affect is to influence and effect is the result....Thank you. David M.

thanks that was really helpful.

LOVE the aardvark cartoon. It's that 5% that gets me.

I understand the difference between affect and effect. That was a great demonstration. When wring you need to know the out come and the causes and effects, and what effects it.

THANK YOU SO MUCHHH!!

Although I was already pretty clear on the differance between affect and effect, I thought your descriptions were entertaining.

thanks for your explenation that is very clear ,but i wish to help in this sentence (1. Group of factors related to the auditor that effect on his selection )is it right or use affect thanks for your help

I found this site because of problem in "effect & affect"... Thanks for creating this site.. Now i can use this for my future matters...

Thank you!! You really helped me!!

Does aunt and uncle always need to be capitalized in a sentence? ie: My aunt Jane is very nice.

Have affected a payment OR Have effected a payment - which is correct please.

This site is terrific; I noticed aardvark is misspelled in the text under the subheading "affect." Might want to correct that.

AND THE PSYCIATRIST HAS AN AFFECT ON HIS PATIENT, WHILE HIS PROZAZ HAS A POSITIVE EFFECT. I CAN'T TELL IF THE ARDVARK HAS AFFECTED ANYTHING, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE AN EFFECTIVE ANOLOGY. As the 170th comment I doubt that I would have any affect. I was able to finish my report.

Another easy way to remember this is VANE--Verb Affect, Noun Effect. I was taught that years ago in a college class and I still remember it.

my coworker and I are having a battle on the use of effect and affect. Here is the sentence. "For Hab, although Becky cannot “negotiate”, she still needs to know about changes because it affects her budget." I say it is effect. she says it is affect. please help as I would love nothing more than to prove my boss wrong. :) thanks

Just stick to "Prince-speak" and say "fx". That way you'll never be wrong, and you'll be cool!

The myWriterTools software program has a WordFlipper tool that scans your Word document and highlights words that are easily confused with other words, and gives you both definitions and a chance to change words.

Wow. I really appreciate the help but affect/effect still makes my brain hurt. My cop out solution is to rarely use the words. Not since grad school anyway (15 years ago) when I kept getting it wrong even after reading up on the differences. I sometime use affect (as in "to take on") as in "She affected a phony British accent." But since I'm always running into noun/verb exceptions, I can't count on those rules to be 100% sure in other contexts. So to avoid emberrasment I am free to use it in conversion (both sound like a schwa to me) but almost never in writing.

Duncan, Thanks for your submission, but I don't think it's correct; you wrote: "You can effect the room temperature by leaving the door open in the winter because it has a cooling effect." This isn't correct (nor is the other example of using both words in one sentence). The best way to know if "effect" is proper to use as a verb is to spell it out as "effectuate." You don't "effectuate" the temperature of the room, though you may "effectuate a temperature-appropriate room" or "effectuate a room that was comfortable for Suzy." You don't effect/"bring about" a room's temperature, though you certainly can affect it. These aren't ideal examples, but I was attempting to work with your material.

Your explanation was great. However, I'm not sure which word to use in the following sentence. "The extraordinary reach and multiplier effect of the youth group's work wouldn’t be possible without your contributions."

Affect VS Effect | The most grammatically exciting english battle of two words fighting for one purpose. How do you properly use affect and effect, when do you use affect and when do you use effect in a sentence...all of these questions are answered at AffectvsEffect.com

I've actually started my own affect vs effect website http://www.affectvseffect.com where I'm dedicating my content to understanding the various ways we use affect and effect in the english dictionary.

Water restrictions are in affect or effect in Los Angeles.

Which phrase is correct: 1) "a statement to that effect" 2) "a statement to that affect" Googling these phrases: Effect returns 535,000. Affect returns 15,800. With 9 returning both in the same document.

I think this may have actually confused me more.

Linda- you said affect can be short for affection, where it is actually short for affectation.

I love the aardvark mnemonic Grammar Girl! Awesome! This has always been a puzzle for me! To Mark regarding the disappearing participles: this is also a pet peeve of mine. I realize that the back of a semi hauling a large load may not have a lot of space, therefore, the "oversize load" signs, but come on, most people in our country at least have a high school education, can we just stop cutting corners with our writing.

Hey GrammarGirl, Thanks so much for the affect/effect piece, I always get them mixed up! Also thanks to VeganMike and Linda, your comments really helped too..x

I had an excellent English teacher, but I am 60 years old now. Thanks for the grammar reminders. Matt

thanks so much grammar girl, i am writing a bio paper and i often get confused about which word to use, "affect" or "effect". it seems to be a little more clear now. thanks again and remember the fish. <*))><

for the rares: affect can be thought of as short for affection, and effect can be thought of as bringing about a result.

This is an excellent article! Here is an shorter description that links back to this article as well and provides a simpler/conscice descrition - this is helpful if the above info is too in depth for what you need. thanks grammar girl!!! http://simplerthanyouthink.blogspot.com/2009/04/affect-vs-effect.html

I've always used the device of; 'Affect is for the Application', 'Effect is for Efficiencies and Entertainment'. Not sure if this helps anyone?

I know I used only one t.

I love your site. English is my second language and you help clarify so much for me thank you. In my language the difference between Afect and Efect is very clear, and with your explanation it seems to me that they have the same meanings in English; but then I see this "Low Literacy effects patient health and what you do about it" shouldn't this be affects? if it said, Low literacy effects on patient Health, then it would make sense to me...Help!!!

In the sixth line of text after the picture, you wrote "Ardvark" without the double "a". I enjoy your examples. thanks, Bruce

I just ran across a sentence in "Fast Company" magazine (April 2009) that takes the less common route and uses "effect" as a verb: "But even a $23 billion company with 31,000 restaurants doesn't have enough pull in the beef business to EFFECT changes on its own." (emphasis added)

I finally get it! Thanks so much--the aardvark cartoon was brilliant!

Thank you so much for this explanation! It is one of the first ones I have found that actually make sense! Now I will always remember the correct way to use affect and effect!!

i learned something new today. thanks! still a little confused though no the rare exceptions though.

I love Grammar girl.Thanks for updating Gramar girl.

this info was very useful:)

You are so cool.

It kills me that half the comments here still don't have it right... :\ If you need help, and mnemonics don't work for you, try typing your sentences into Word - it should automatically correct your sentence if it's wrong, or underline it in green. I learned this rule "(a/e)ffect" contextually, which is probably the best way to do so. If you understand normal grammatical construction, such as verbs and nouns, this should be very easy for you. Don't try to memorize tricks or sample sentences, because you won't be able to apply them to other problems. Instead, find a source that you KNOW is correct - indisputably, like an example out of a textbook - and just learn the difference.

I appreciate your site, but if you're going to give advice about the English language, you should spell your articles correctly. I believe it is "Aardvark", unless there is some odd variation I'm unaware of.

Oh dear... I should have read all the postings before making my own... Thanks Megan and Duncan. I think I can live with these explanations!

I still don't get it either. It's not that I'm daft... I just can't apply it. I had always thought that Affect is to do with emotion, whilst effect is to do with result or implication. Does this work for anyone else? A masters graduate who still can't use Affect and Effect correctly!

Please check out the report about this guy jumping into Niagara falls: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29641622?GT1=43001 Quoting here: " Police were unable to get any information from the man because of the affects of the near-freezing water. " The water really affected him, huh!

Thanks Grammar Girl!! These two words drive me completely crazy - I thought I had some sort of learning disability but now at least I know I'm in good company!

Hi! Another really easy way to remember this is affect (with an A) is usually the action (also with an A!), while effect (with an E) is usually the evidence (also with an E!). Pretty cool, huh? I would like to take credit for this, but my husband came up with it!

i still dont get it

I like this site.

Gramer gal, you rouck!

Grammar Girl, you are the coolest website character! You are so helpful! Thanks a bunch! -Katelynn Mullins

Hey,Grammar Girl is a great way to help you learn, What a Great site!!! -Alexis Knoxville,Tennessee

Thanks a ton for you wonderful teachings! I fill like i want to burst with intelligence! Your help will guide me through the rest of my middle and high school years! You have really in-lighted me! Again Thanks! -Alex Knoxville, Tennessee

Hey Grammar Girl! Thanks so much for ll the help! Please don't ever close this website! I love it!

Grammar girl, Hey grammar girl thanks for everything! I just love to listen to your podcasts! love ya! -Student 6

Grammer Girl, I feel that you have made me a better writer! im in english and it really helps! You rock! -Student knoxville,Tennessee

James, you have very clearly stated your position that it is imperative for all people regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic class, sexual orientation or any other cultural variance to be afforded the opportunity to express themselves clearly in order that they may share their ideas and observations with the rest of us…….. I have a great idea, lets establish a universal standard for english language communication in order that everyone has a uniform comprehension of the ideas being expressed so that we can avoid confusion between the myriad cultural subsets… Then, lets offer people the opportunity to learn this standardization for free as an unalienable right. Hmmmm… Where have I herd this before? Grammar is the standard we apply to language in order that it may continue to hold accurate communicative value. Letting go of grammatical structure would be as useful as changing the rules of mathematics. By the way, George W. Bush would not have been my first choice of an iconic representative for a rant about the injustices of proper grammar…. Unless of course you’re advocating on his behalf. (Have you ever herd him speak?) But I digress, this is a thread about affect versus effect. Therefore, in that context I ask you: Would you feel comfortable knowing that your doctor may not understand the difference between an affective result and an effective result of a medical intervention. Doctor: “I don’t understand nurse, the PDR stated that the patient would be positively affected by this medication!” Nurse: “He was… he was smiling and giggling right up until he died!” P.S. I am an atheist with dyslexia who struggles with grammar and is thankful that it affords me the opportunity to express myself accurately and to distinguish myself from self righteous, cause chasing, bone-heads like you. Go join the peace corp or some other humanitarian organization that will help to focus some of you misdirected hostility and do something useful but, leave us alone until you have something constructive to contribute. :)

If you really think about it, grammar is just a set of rules forced upon aspiring writers. Who decides these rules? I have stopped correcting grammar when I hear people speak, as it is wrong to feel that my grammar is better than theirs. It may better resemble grammar that it taught in colleges and universities, but does that make it correct? Forcing these "rules" of writing and speaking on someone from a different culture or economical background is similar to the "White Man's Burden" that our ancestors felt existed. Forcing our cultural practices on a group of people with different cultural practices is arrogant and ignorant. Just ask the billions of people killed in the name of religion/race/or sexual preference how they feel...That's right, you can't, they were killed for not sharing the same beliefs. Shame on any of you trying to "better" the grammar of the people you come in contact with. Who do you think you are, the ultimate decider (aka the George W. Bush) of what is grammatically "right?" You are just as bad as those religious groups forcing their ideas about faith or sexual preference on everyone else. Yeah, I said it.

Affect refers to emotion and can be used as a noun or a verb. I will affect my partner with a big smile by surprising her with a gift. I was affected by my mothers passing. My affect was a sullen expression. While effect refers to a result or intended result and can also be used as a verb or a noun. You can effect the room temperature by leaving the door open in the winter because it has a cooling effect. You may also use both words in the same sentence provided you use care and use them correctly. Not doing so could have a negative effect, such as a low grade, which could affect you negatively by triggering a frown. The effect of a psychotropic medication can affect how a patient presents and effect a his/her prognosis. I hope my explanation has a positive affect on each of you and effect on your future writing.

"a very easy noun" - thank you very much. A more technical rule based way to view the exceptions is that the usage is still the same; it just that the noun, "effect," is being used in its verb form (the act of bringing about an effect); or that the verb, "affect," is being used in nominalized form (eg, "affecting"). Here's a question for you: The rule states that when someone writes something in quotes ("something in quotes" - ha), the punctuation goes inside the quotation marks ("something in quotes," I said), but it doesn't seem to make sense to follow this rule when quotes are being used to denote an object or title (in the book, "Something in Quotes," I read . . .). In the event that I do not have underline or italic options, and must use quotation marks, does the punctuation still need to go within the quotations?

Finally, something can explain the difference in simple terms. My english teacher had me really tripping over them.

I like the "result" tip. Just replace it with "result" and see if it makes sense, and, if so, use "effect." I've always known the difference (one's a verb and one's a noun), but sometimes it's oddly difficult to tell in sentences that use it if it's a noun or a verb.

The aardvards infection was affected by an effect of aarows. Poor affected aardvard with the infection. The aardvark needs some antibiotics to affect the infection. That would effectually make the aardvark all better. I hope I got that right...

zoe kelly wrote: "and i was wondering of you knew why in, "background" there's a g? as if the back of the ground" I think I can answer that one. Due to the invasion of Danish Vikings and their occupation of England, from the 870's to 1066, the English language was greatly affected (!). Thus many English words are directly borrowed from or derrived of the Danish language. Background comes from the Danish word baggrund. 'Bag' means either back or behind and grund translates to both ground/area or reason/motive. So in effect (!), baggrund means the motive/reason or ground/area behind something - like background.

Actually, in your cartoon, the arrow has not struck the aardvark yet, therefore not affected the aardvark yet, therefore "The arrow will affect the aardvark." is more accurate and precise. details....details....details

This was great. I'm working on my masters and thank you for clearing up my long held confusion about the difference in the two words. It certainly has had an effect on my writing, and hopefully will affect my grade.

I'm still not sure. Here is my title. Do I use affect or effect? HELP THE ADVERSE AFFECTS ON PLANTS USING MICROWAVED WATER

your thing about affect and effect really helped my friend!! thanks so much grammar girl!!!! i love you! your my hero!!! =D and i was wondering of you knew why in, "background" there's a g? as if the back of the ground.

Thank you so much. I'm kind of an idiot when it comes to grammar so this web site really helps :)

I can't believe how invaluable this is. I have absolutely no life but surfing the web looking for ways to improve my speech to my stuffed animals. Thanks so much!

hey girl, hey!...you helped me so much, Grammer Girl! I can't tell you how much I appreciate this site. I really needed a tip on when to use affet and effect because I am doing a high school project on how age affects reaction time. The aardvark cartoon will help me remember for the rest of my life! Not many websites help with grammer and little tricks to remember hard grammer rules. I am so happy that you started this site. Thank you so much, you have done wonders for me and my aquaintences.

When the sentence is, "something to that affect" is it affect or effect?

Affectation of affection affects its efficacious effects. Effective affection eschews affect. Therefore, effect affection through sincerity.

I created the following sentence based off your following words: And, effect can be used as a verb that essentially means "to bring about," or "to accomplish." For example, you could say, "Aardvark hoped to effect change within the burrow." My setence was was as follows: "A benefit of computer technology that helps enable some companies to effect greater profits is a task known as data mining." Would that be a correct use of the word affect in this situation since I am using it as a verb. Sorry horrible at parts of speech and grammar.

It is then possible to affect an effect?

For me, "affect" is almost always a verb and it use to indicate a change in state, be it: emotion, environment, system, etc. And "effect" is almost always a noun, such as "special effects", "after effects", etc. I find that using mnemonic a bit of an overkill in situation like this.

This was very helpful...I couldn't seem to master the A/Effect predicament, but I think I have it down, now!

Hmmm, so I think that this sentence: "Stephen picked up their bikes to affect a quick get away." is wrong? This one really has me stumped...

So what you are saying is that Affect is Subjective and Effect is Objective...

thanks for getting me an 800 on sat writing !!!!!

VoreisTwins, I thought of the same thing: "A-verb, E-noun." I also thought about the idea that AFFECT is the cause and EFFECT is the result. Well, there is a common saying that helps me remember: "cause and effect." That might confuse some, but it helps me. Also, Altissima, I like your RAVEN idea. Thanks, all.

I am so glad I found this! For me to remember the proper use of affect/effect, I made it a bit simpler: "A-verb, e-noun."

I Love the show. We listen to in English class at least once a week.

yeah thanks for the help with the effect affect thing. I know have perfect grammar!

thanks

yaay! now i wont fail my health project :) thxxxx!!!

Who and whom gets confusing, especially in question sentences. Thank you

Thanks for the information!!!

found on Oprah

Found out about you on Oprah.

I asked the question: What is correct toward or towards? The hits were about effect and affect etc.

Brian Says: 5/28/2008 12:19:17 PM I believe I used the verb effect properly for a subtitle below. Please verify. "Learn how your choices effect your relationship with God." Depends on what you're trying to say, really. Did you happen to notice the cartoon using the obscure meaning of "effect" and "affect" to trip up Nazi Grammarians? If by your sentence, you're intended to say that the person already has a relationship with God, and that he should learn how his choices influence that relationship, then you mean "affects." However, if you're saying that the person has no relationship with God, but he should learn how his choices bring about this relationship, which previously didn't exist, then you want "effects."

I saw you on Oprah and I think you're great. I struggled a lot with affect vs. effect and you really cleared it up for me. Thanks.

I saw you on Oprah, told my hubby about your site, he's an author; and now have searched for the reminder on affect/effect; verb/noun helped me to finally understand it. thanks!

Your book and podcast make me want to return to teaching. I retired this year. I will pass it on to my teaching friends. Thank you.

I always found "affect and effect" hard, but, thanks to your tips, hopefully I won't from now on. Thanks. :) John. improve your vocabulary

It's probably been mentioned in another comment, but my mnemonic (for the common uses) has always been to remember that "affect" and "action" both start with A.

Effect (with an e) can definitely be used as a VERB, too. For example: "I am trying to effect a change in the system."

I always believed affect could also be used as a noun, example: Her haughty affect offended the teacher.

Thanks for providing us with some insight regarding the matter. Although this is a basic conundrum, your advice did help with the rare instances when effect can be used to replace affect, and vise versa. I liked your examples: The arrow affected the aardvark. The effect was eye-popping. The aardvark. The aardvark hoped to effect change within the burrow. Thanks again, www.ABigArcade.com

Thank you ever so much. Life saver. Well not really but them two words always confuse me and your meaning was cleas =] Thanks again. Adam x

thanks

While reading this, I came up with something to help me. It was inspired by your cartoon, so I'd have to send you thanks of course! :) Like in your cartoon, Affects bring about effects. "The arrow affected the aardvark. The effect was eye-popping." Affect with an "a" came first, followed by effect with an "e". In the alphabet, "a" is first and followed by "e" (after a few other letters). =)

Thank You sooooo much. I am really trying to get an impossible mark in English, and your site puts me more at ease over the whole thing. God Bless You Grammar Girl!

I believe I used the verb effect properly for a subtitle below. Please verify. "Learn how your choices effect your relationship with God."

Thank you! This was really helpful!

I remember "affect" vs. "effect" with these helpful tips: Remember that "affect" is a verb, so if the subject is taking action, use affect. (Remember: Action = Affect) Remember that nouns usually are paired with "the." So remember "thE Effect" flows well together when said aloud. Consider these examples: 1. The effect was spell-binding. Notice how "thE Effect" flows together when you say it?

I don't remember the definitions, but I just look at what I think is right.

I don't really see the problem here. Where I live people pronounce effect and affect differently (the first vowel only) so you know how to spell the word when you write it.

Brilliant! Thanks for the comic effect :) I hope I used that correctly.

Wow I needed that little lesson :)

THANK YOU! :-) This was entirely too helpful! It's not like I don't know how to use proper grammar in most situations, because I do, however...this one always confuses me!!

I thought I should make you aware of Seanan McGuire's song about affect and effect: http://cadhla.livejournal.com/1474345.html Cheers, Robbert

I always teach my kids that because verbs are the "action" of a sentence, then Affect (with the "a") is the ACTION or the verb. A for Action (verb)

Thank you so much. This is the first time I have heard affect vs. effect explained in a way that I clearly understand and will remember the difference and proper usage.

I am confused on affect and effect. Is it The Affects of Culture on Education or is it The Effects of Cukture on education?

I have a question. In the sentence, "I am sorry that this had to affect all of you." Did I use affect correctly?

GREAT NOTES ON AFFECT VS EFFECT...THANKS... NOW, TRY TO PUNCTUATE AND MAKE SENSE OF THIS....... WHERE TOM HAD HAD BOB HAD HAD HAD HAD HAD HAD HAD THE TEACHERS' APROVAL MARC

I love your explanations! I remember the "affect vs effect" thing by remembering that "affect" is a verb and verbs show action. They both start with an a.

Okay. I have read your directions and am still confused (sorry, it takes me awhile to absorb some things). Just tell me which is correct in this sentence: The student will note the affect (or effect?) of health education, assessment, and care on the individuals and groups involved.

Great tip! but a little involved. Using your 95% rule I always remembered the difference between "affect" and "effect" by thinking you need an affect before you get an effect. "A" comes before "E". This is easier for me as I was never very good at picking out nouns, verbs, adverbs and so on.

Great tip! but a little involved. Using your 95% rule I always remembered the difference between "affect" and "effect" by thinking you need an affect before you get an effect. "A" comes before "E". This is easier for me as I was never very good at picking out nouns, verbs, adverbs and so on.

I'm a court reporting student and was struggling with "affect and effect" but you really helped. I'm going to share your site with my 30 classmates. Thanks so much!

Kathy Newkirk Says: "My family call me the Grammar Nazi." They do, huh? I wonder why.

Kathy Newkirk Says: 1/22/2007 7:09:01 PM My family call me the Grammar Nazi.

Hey Grammar Girl :) I love what you're doing with this site! I always come here for the down and dirty, or was it "quick and dirty" grammar tricks, haha :) Anyways, I'm a psychology major (which by no means means I'm an expert), but thought I'd share that what you mean by "happy affect" is most likely "positive affect." Usually in my psychology classes we distinguish the different "affects" with either "positive" or "negative." Just thought I'd share :) Thanks again for everything!

N-E-V-A use the incorrect spelling again! Noun = Effect Verb = Affect

Bless you, grammar girl! You are my new heroine.

Or...you could just use the word "impact" when in doubt. Just kidding. Don't do this! Unfortunately, it has become a sad practice these days for people who don't know when to use affect and effect.

please tell me the difference beteween lose and loose

Thank you for this website! You are so sweet, like a lifesaver!

Try substituting "shape, alter, or change" for affect. All have an A for affect. If the substitution makes sense, likely you need to use "affect." If it makes no sense, you likely need to use effect.

Is the comma necessary? Our long-standing commitments, such as express service and low rates, ensure that you will be satisfied with your decision.

Wow. This is amazing. I promise I really will try to remember the aardvark... but if not I'm glad this shows up really early in google searches. Thanks, you're a gem! A GEM!

Thanks for the help with this. It is always messing me up.

A very good hint to help remember how to use affect & effect. I hope I can now remember aardvark ! LOL

This is great info. I can not tell yu how often I am asking the a or th e question. Thanks!

My social studies teacher recently gave out a list of directions for an essay and on them I found this sentence: "In your opinion, which do you think was more effective - Patrick Henry or Thomas Paine?" First of all, shouldn't "which" be "who"? And second, is "effective" correct, because I thought that effect was a noun. Or is this one of the rare times when it changes? Please respond soon! Thanks! :)

I know it's been a while since the episode, but this is worth posting here because it's relevant: http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/effect_an_effect.png

Nice job Grammer Girl!!!

I rate this as a 2 on a scale of 1 to 5 because it only covers something that I already know.

Thank you for your assistance.

Grammar Girl - I love your podcasts and will be ordering your audio book soon. Plus I plan to add your books to my collection. I have been teasingly called 'Grammar Girl' for some time now, so I jumped for joy when I found others that care as much about grammar as I do. Thank you for the hard work you do and for providing this information in such an entertaining way!

It is also important to note that the word "affect," used in the psychological sense, is pronounced differently than normal. The accent is on the first syllable rather than the second. The "a" is pronounced as a short "a" as well, like in the word "apple."

Awesome explanation for affect versus effect. Invaluable.

Your "personal effects" are nouns, so "effect" is the right word. One of the dictionary definitions of "effects" is "movable belongings."

Yes, yes!! I want to know this, too! What exactly does that mean? Is it that you Affect (verb) the things you own, therefore, they have become an Effect (noun) of your ownership? Or, that, being yours, they somehow personify you and hence, are your Personal Effects? Hmmm...

Dear grammar girl,
I learnt about your website when I saw you on Oprah! I love this site, and as a non-native speaker I'm sure it will help me! Thank you (all the way from the Netherlands).
Take Care
Eva

Although you can find "towards" with an "s" in the dictionary now, I was always taught it wasn't really a word. As the word's origin is from Middle English and lacks the "s", I'd leave it off, and it seems likely that inclusion of "towards" is simply from common usage. "Towards" is generally listed as a "variant of toward".

So, just when I think I have affect and effect my co-worker threw me a curve ball. What about Effected/Affected as an adjective?

For example: “The effected stream was filled with dirt.” Or would it be “The affected stream was filled with dirt.” I would argue it is attached to the noun so it should be Effected but she maintains the “dictionaries” say otherwise. Please advise.

Is it: As we transition towards the future OR As we transition toward the future?

Affect vs. Effect
I have been an English teacher for thirty-six years. I tell my students that AFFECT begins with the letter A as does the word Action. When action is needed by the word, use Affect. Action

I just saw grammer girl on Oprah's show. I'm glad that affect and effect was covered. I had just recently discovered how to tell the difference. Anyway, I think there is an easier way to remember them. Affect and action are both 'a' words and verb's are action words. Then effect must be a noun. I don't know if that helps anyone else, but I think it might be a little easier to remember.

I agree that affect is a verb and effect is a noun, but effect is also a verb and it is not unusual to see affect used when effect should be used. Any rule for this?

Hi Grammar Girl. I was thrilled to see you on Oprah today, especially so because I was aware of all the rules you shared on air. I just wanted to share with you a trick that I use to remember affect versus effect. I remember affect with an a is a verb because I say to myself, (emphasizing the long A and long E) "Affect is to act on; Effect is result." Affect with an a and act both begin with a. For effect with an e, I think of "cause and effect," which is the cause and result of a something. I hope this helps someone.

Hi Grammar Girl:

I'm trying to determine the appropriate order of the proper noun and pronoun in the following sentence:

Registration packets for Kay and you will be mailed on April 17th.

Registration packets for you and Kay will be mailed on April 17th.

Based on the rule where the pronoun, I, is placed after the proper noun I would assume the former example is the one to use. Is this correct?

Thanks,
Suzanne

Not sure if this fits or if I'm completely right, but the term "affective" can be used as a descriptor of a kind of learning or task. I've seen this used in the field of instructional design. For example, there are intellectual tasks, psychomotor tasks and affective tasks. The affective tasks are those which relate to emotion or opinions. Creating instruction which relates to affect can be most difficult and usually is hidden within a context like "my students will gain a greater appreciation of art".

This is from the transcript: "Affect can be used as a noun when you are talking about psychology. It means the mood that someone appears to have. For example, "She displayed a happy affect." Psychologists find it useful because they know that you can never really know what someone else is feeling. You can only know how they appear to be feeling."

What do you all think about this:

"Affect is used as a noun to mean emotional expression." ?

So "affect" is both verb and noun ?

A listener just wrote in with this helpful tip:

My 8th Grade English teacher Ms. Toth gave me a great way to remember when to use "affect" and "effect" that I use to this day: if you can use "the" in front of it, you should use "effect". You can remember it because the "e" in "the" goes next to the "e" in "effect". If you can't put "the" in front of it, it's probably a verb and you should use the other one ("affect").

Just a lay observation; I am glad you did a segment on this conflict, it is something I have argued with others about for a number of years; even to the point where I was told it did’t make any difference if “Affect” was used since “Effect” in all situations was the correct word. You stated, which is a good way to remember “Affect” is proactive, “Effect” is reactive. Cause (Affect) and effect….Keep up the great work!!!!

I just love your podcasts. I am so bad at english and grammer if I mess up here I am sorry. Keep them coming. I wish you had time to do them everyday.
I love learning and your podcast is my favorite. Thank you for helping me do better in my writing.

The most common mistake I hear on TV is the misuse of as and like and of was and were. "Like I said ---- If I was you."

Love the podcast, thank you! I enjoyed the affect/effect episode. What about the phrase often used when a person is being fired from a job, "Please collect your personal effects and someone will escort you out of the building?" Is it, indeed, effects and not affects?

So - effect affect. I still have problems saying verb or noun. For example, in my line of work - we have system changes to the databases and they have a table heading "Affected Systems" - would that not be "Effected Systems"? because the change to the system effected it?

thanks,

My family call me the Grammar Nazi. A semi-retired Eng. teacher, I applaud you! I'm wondering why public people are using the long A sound for the article so often now. Are they trying to sound like GWB? Even some of the speakers I respect sometimes do this, but not consistently. I think it makes the sentence sound awkward, stilted, and somehow "uneducated" sounding. It detracts from the following noun which is being stressed, and interfers with the flow of the sentence. I have noticed that the inconsistency makes no sense to me. What do you think? Was there a pronouncement from the Great Grammar Guru in the Sky about this, that I missed?
I especially appreciate the comments on apostrophes and their misuse with ordinary plurals. I used to have a lesson (9th graders & college workshops) on The Attack of the Killer Apostrophes! My son-in-law just sent me the CNN article of yours, and I'm with you! Thanks! I haven't searched your site yet, but have you addressed the I/me confusion? Who told kids that I is so much "more better" than me? Anyway, thanks, and I'm sure I'll keep in touch. You are a great service to good communicators.

Hi Grammar Girl. I recently discovered your podcasts and think they're great. I came to this site to look at the rare uses of “effect” as a verb. I maintain a technical doc at my job, and this word is frequently used in that context (as in, "Did you effect change to the production server?"). Your clarification and example were immensely helpful.

Disappearing participles?
I've found myself reacting viscerally to hand-scrawled signs selling "bottle water" for a while now, but I recently saw a commercially-produced package of "Mash Potatoes" in my grocer's freezer case. Am I being too pedantic, or am I justified in going a little crazy when people mangle constructions like "bottled water" and "mashed potatoes"?

Living in the south, one often sees signs for "ICE TEA." :(

Hi John,

It's a style issue. Some people use the serial comma (also called the Oxford comma) and some people don't. I prefer to use it because I think it adds clarity. The topic is in the episode queue.

very nice. the material presented is very well understood.

Master Chief,

The use of the second comma is always, most definitely, and under all circumstances used to avoid any ambiguity.
V/R
M Bakker

Serial commas.
I listened to your podcast covering the use of commas, however I am still confused on it's use in serial. (e.g. Matt, Joe and Bob ran fast...or Matt, Joe, and Bob ran fast.)

I found conflicting information on the web.
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
V/R
Master Chief John Woolbright
US Navy

Hi Grammar Girl,
My daughter and I listen to you here in Longmont, Colorado. We love your podcast because it is very informative although it is brief. Amazing! Thank you.

Great podcast! Psychologists characterize 'affect' in an attempt to describe the appropriateness of the mood a patient is projecting. Since certain psychiatric illnesses can interfere with one's ability to accurately communicate mood (which is done through body language and other visual cues), the choice of 'affect' instead of 'effect' suggests it is the communication process being analyzed, not the result.

A patient having a happy affect when talking about the death of a loved one would be described as having an inappropriate affect. Schizophrenics often have a flat affect; they may not show emotion despite discussing the birth of a child or the winning of a lottery.

I would be said to have an appropriate affect when I excitedly tell my grammar gifted geeky coworker of your podcsst!

Good one! I like it; I bet it will help people remember.

Hi Grammar Girl - I'm listening to your podcast from Melbourne, Australia. Very useful and entertaining.

I love the aarvark cartoon! I have always used the word RAVEN to remember the most likely uses of affect and effect. Like your aardvark mnemonic, A & V close together link _A_ffect & _V_erb, and E & N link _E_ffect and _N_oun.

Thanks, Grammar Girl. I'm new to this podcast and I'm amazed at the quick quality of it all. I'm a wordsmith myself, but I picked up a lot of great reminders. I plan on becoming an avid listener. Thanks, again. - Lisa