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Basically, these adverbs are actually useless This doctor has no abbreviation A little dash of this, a little dash of that... Yeah, I am happy to let you know. Yea! The little dash: the hyphen Learn how to not trip up or run to the period How does this [impact / have an impact on] you? What’s new in the wide, wide world of English? Did he get any sleep or not? Now, how many days does "every" mean? September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 
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If you can't distinguish between the two words affect and effect, better get Aflac: quack, quack
A friend requested that I do a blog on the usage of the words "affect" and "effect." First, don't make this harder than it is. Let's just stick with the old rule that one is a noun and one is a verb. Of course, you have to remember which is which. This usage rule should suffice, but there are always those who want to use these words differently. "Affect" is a verb. For example, the high temperatures affected the electric bill. "Effect" is a noun. For example, a big electric bill was the effect of the high temperatures. Now, it can get complicated because "effect" can be used as a verb, too. For example, The people were going to "effect" change in the government. Use "effect" as verb when you mean "to cause." Otherwise, just use the word "cause." Simple. Got it? Get it? Good. Maybe some insurance would be a good idea anyway.
8 comments from 5 users
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posted by
TDelaney
on Dec 1, 2007 at 11:49 PM
Rusty and This'n'That -- I appreciate your contributions, and ... :) they do have a positive effect on me. Ha! Rusty, I will check to see about your request with the powers that be. More to come tomorrow night... heh! heh! heh! -- God, I feel affected. posted by
ThisnThat
on Dec 1, 2007 at 10:53 PM
Ah, TDelaney, One should not be affected so intensely with the misuse of words. It seems a venial concern with so many other worldly events affecting all of us deeply. I can't help myself, however. It has a truly profound effect on me when those very people who should be well versed in proper verbiage are the very ones committing these grievous offenses. You have generated an excellent explanation of the proper usage of these two frequently misunderstood words. May I add also another fine aid in determining which word fits which situation? www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0200807.html has an abbreviated list of commonly misued words that every good reporter, and others pursuing literary endeavors, should keep near when traveling across the keyboard. posted by
OLDRUSTYBUCKET1
on Dec 1, 2007 at 06:17 PM
TIM: Would it be possible to drag up my old profile pic and put it with my blog? Thanks. posted by
OLDRUSTYBUCKET1
on Nov 29, 2007 at 06:04 PM
TIM: This trick works for me. V.A.N.E. = VERB - AFFECT; NOUN - EFFECT. posted by
TDelaney
on Nov 29, 2007 at 07:13 AM
Another colleague of mine, Sonny Long, offered this addendum: Something I have used that has helped me in MOST cases to remember which is which....I substitute the word "result" which has an "e" for "effect"...the one with the "e"....it might help when there is some confusion. posted by
TDelaney
on Nov 29, 2007 at 06:44 AM
I love it when you guys talk like that. -- Tim
posted by
Riverboat
on Nov 29, 2007 at 12:43 AM
Shurelee deserves an award of some sort - let's call it the William Safire Award - for demonstrating the proper usage of "ensure." I think the Advocate should roll up a copy of The Elements of Style by Strunk and White with a Sunday delivery. It wouldn't be any bulkier than the Christmas ads. As paperbacks go, it's a thin but rewarding read at less than 100 pages. It easily fits in any back pocket. Waiting for the appointment with the doctor, dentist, personnel executive, marriage counselor or lifestyle specialist? Pull this thing out and feast on the nuggets of wisdom. posted by
ShureleeUJest
on Nov 28, 2007 at 07:39 PM
The effect that this discourse is having on me, ensures that I should effect my methods of choosing words to be be done more effectively and then use those words with greater effectiveness - I think?
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