Sentence examples - affect and effect

bonniesayers · #1 12-15-2003, 04:14 PM

Several years ago when I was employed at an investment bank I had an example posted on my cubbyhole wall with sentences for each of these words so I would not get stuck.

Yesterday while writing a review I used both words and tried the KDK Kids Dictionary we own but that did not help me visualize a sentence.

Since my son is on meds I know they have side effects - which uses one of the words but I am not clear if I wanted to say that has the opposte affect or effect?

Anyone care to share some sentences utilizing both words so I can save them as references?

Thanks

Bonnie

**AuntieEmma**[$] · #2 12-15-2003, 04:31 PM

I get them mixed up too, so someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it works like this --

Nouns -- Always use "effect." (One very limited exception -- "affect" can be used as a noun only in its psychological sense.)

So ...

The medicine had the opposite effect from what I expected.

His affect was blank -- he had no expression on his face at all.

Verbs

There is where I get mixed up -- I think affect can only be used as a transitive verb (?)

How has the rain affected your commute?

The rain had a good effect on the tomato plants.

**taurusmoon** · #3 12-15-2003, 04:42 PM

Think of it in terms of "cause and effect."

Now think of affect conveying cause.

Staying up all night will affect your ability to function during the day. In this case, staying up is the cause of the problem.

The effect of staying up all night is falling asleep at your desk. In this case falling asleep at your desk is the result of an action.

bonniesayers · #4 12-15-2003, 04:49 PM

Those are both good examples. Thanks for the quick explanations.

I have to read what I wrote and see if I need revisions and than make note for future reference.

Bonnie

theeye · #5 12-15-2003, 04:50 PM

There is also another, less commonly used, verb spelled 'effect'. It means to cause directly.

You effect a result when you actively, directly create that result.
You affect a result when your actions influence the result.

So, if you are the CEO of a company and you order layoffs, you've effected a labor downsizing.

If you're the customer of a company and you reduce the orders you place with them, you may have affected their decision process.

theeye · #6 12-15-2003, 05:01 PM

His affect was oddly jovial as he explained how he was affected by the recent downsizing effected by his employer: the effect was startling.

Two verbs, two nouns: four meanings.