http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/TDelaney/5898 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.        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.        en-us 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? http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/TDelaney/5898/#c_26101 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/TDelaney/5898/#c_26101 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? 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. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/TDelaney/5898/#c_26143 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/TDelaney/5898/#c_26143 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. I love it when you guys talk like that. -- Tim http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/TDelaney/5898/#c_26148 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/TDelaney/5898/#c_26148 I love it when you guys talk like that. -- Tim 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. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/TDelaney/5898/#c_26152 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/TDelaney/5898/#c_26152 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. TIM: This trick works for me.  V.A.N.E. = VERB - AFFECT; NOUN - EFFECT. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/TDelaney/5898/#c_26248 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/TDelaney/5898/#c_26248 TIM: This trick works for me.  V.A.N.E. = VERB - AFFECT; NOUN - EFFECT. TIM: Would it be possible to drag up my old profile pic and put it with my blog? Thanks. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/TDelaney/5898/#c_26713 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/TDelaney/5898/#c_26713 TIM: Would it be possible to drag up my old profile pic and put it with my blog? Thanks. 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. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/TDelaney/5898/#c_26759 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/TDelaney/5898/#c_26759 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. 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. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/TDelaney/5898/#c_26771 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/TDelaney/5898/#c_26771 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.