"Effect" and "Affect".

[Oneearringlost]

I'm so fed up with the confusion of something that "affects" you and the "..
effect". I really get that it is not straightforward, you can "effect" a change, for instance, but by and large, one is "affected", ie, verb, to be affected, and "effect" is a noun", ie, " it had an effect".
I'm being unreasonable, aren't I? I realise that, but when I read the wrong use, my mind has to auto correct.

Yes because no one gets to police other’s grammar
By all means let it upset you but in the grand scheme of life…let it go

Ramonaquimby This is Pendants' Corner! It's where we grammar police are allowed to gather and air our views.

I’m with you OP - it makes me go through it in my mind every time I see these two being confused.
I feel like very few people seem to understand the correct use of these words.

And I think it’s good to care about grammar!! (Or, it’s very difficult to “untrain” yourself to care about it.)

@80sMum

Ramonaquimby This is Pendants' Corner! It's where we grammar police are allowed to gather and air our views.

Jesus Christ. If there was ever a time to proofread your own posts...

Practise and practice!

Don't blame you OP. I don't think it's unreasonable at all. Actually I find it quiet worrying how many people rely on there phones for grammar. Its something everyone should now. Language's are important. It really ticks me of.

I'm sorry if this has effected anyone on a negative way. I just couldn't help myself. Please don't let the after affects be long lasting. And please don't report me for my frank opinions.

I hope you enjoy this @80sMum

I'm usually the grammar police with this sort of thing, but affect/effect resides in a blind spot in my brain. Am hoping your explanation will help me going forward!!!

Jesus Christ. If there was ever a time to proofread your own posts...

I'm pretty sure that was intentional on the part of 80sMum

I hope so @hunkypunk . It's impossible to tell.

Disappointed no one has told me I should have used "were" rather than "was" in my post, as it's subjunctive.

notsogreenthumb Thats it! It's light hearted, I hope that's the spirit.

Thats what I love about this board. You are my people.

And "advise" and "advice"!

Disappointed no one has told me I should have used "were" rather than "was" in my post, as it's subjunctive.

Were you testing us?

I’m so pleased you write this post OP be.

I’m one of those annoying people that still gets confused by affect and effect even in my 40’s! So if you could give a few more examples it would be greatly appreciated! 😁

@mellongoose

I'm usually the grammar police with this sort of thing, but affect/effect resides in a blind spot in my brain. Am hoping your explanation will help me going forward!!!

Affect is a verb. That's how I differentiate it.

'Wearing retinol oil has amazing effect on your skin texture '
'Going to bed late is affects your productivity the next day'

English is my second language and I just 'get it' somehow in my head, even though I can't always explain it? Hope it helped a bit x

Don't need 'is' in the second example

@Veronika13

Affect is a verb. That's how I differentiate it.

Unfortunately this isn't correct at all. Both 'effect' and 'affect' can be verbs and nouns, even if these uses are less common.

When someone is unhappy, psychologists/doctors may refer to them as having 'negative affect'.

Conversely, you can 'effect a change', meaning 'to bring about a change'.

Sorry!

@HunkyPunk

Disappointed no one has told me I should have used "were" rather than "was" in my post, as it's subjunctive.

Were you testing us?

Only a little.

@HaplotypeK

I hope so *@hunkypunk* . It's impossible to tell.

Disappointed no one has told me I should have used "were" rather than "was" in my post, as it's subjunctive.

That would be because that use of the subjunctive is dying out. It's predicted by linguists like David Crystal that it will be gone within our lifetime. Exam boards and dictionaries accept both were/was, though I still tend to recommend to my students if in doubt, then use it.

@Geamhradh I know. I still like to use 'were' but it sounds affected* to a lot of people, so I generally don't.

*see what I did there?

I try and avoid using affect / effect because I know I am not 100% sure that I am correct in their use.

Yes, indeed.
You can have a flat "Affect", with the emphasis on the A. Very true.
I realise this but still autocorrect everything I read, for instance " It had a terrible affect on me", or
"It effected me so badly...."
Now, as I said in my OP, it's not straightforward but I would think that the people who get "affect" and "effect" wrong are not necessarily the people who would use, for example, " it effected a change"
But I could be wrong and I hope the spirit of this thread is light hearted.

@HaplotypeK yes that's how I would write your examples too, so I'm still correct but probably am a terrible teacher

How about this way:

Affect TO DO something.
Effect IS something.

'She's effective at public speaking' (she IS something - effective)
'He's affecting me in a negative way' (he is DOING something - affecting me)

HaplotypeK

@Oneearringlost

Yes, indeed. You can have a flat "Affect", with the emphasis on the A. Very true. I realise this but still autocorrect everything I read, for instance " It had a terrible affect on me", or "It effected me so badly...." Now, as I said in my OP, it's not straightforward but I would think that the people who get "affect" and "effect" wrong are not necessarily the people who would use, for example, " it effected a change" But I could be wrong and I hope the spirit of this thread is light hearted.

• it had a terrible effect on me
• it affected me so badly

Are the correct versions. I don't know why but my brain just knows 😂
(I have a newly found huge respect for teachers!) I can't explain sh**