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Affect - Effect

Affect - Effect

Affect - Effect

(OP)
Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/

Affect and effect have no senses in common. As a verb affect is most commonly used in the sense of “to influence” (how smoking affects health). Effect means “to bring about or execute”: layoffs designed to effect savings. Thus the sentence These measures may affect savings could imply that the measures may reduce savings that have already been realized, whereas These measures may effect savings implies that the measures will cause new savings to come about.

I'd like to get my hands on the one who invented these (those) two words.

RE: Affect - Effect

This has been discussed, I'm not all that sure that your point is well made. The first statement:

These measures may affect savings.

Has the sense that the measures may cause changes to the savings, either good or bad, yet the savings already exist.

The second:

These measures may effect savings.

Has the sense that the measures may create savings.

Thus depending on the case either of the statements is correct.

Go To:
Thread1010-88113

for more.

nick

RE: Affect - Effect

(OP)
Thanks Nick,

Must remember to troll the archives before posting LOL

The first para is a direct quote from the listed source. Even the so called experts seem to have trouble explaining this one - what hope for the common man?  (sigh)

RE: Affect - Effect

We, spanish-speakers, don't have that problem since both verbs sound differently: afectar and efectuar. Thus we cannot mix them up. This fact helps us also in applying the correct word in English.

RE: Affect - Effect

Another reason to like Spanish.  I would also like get my hands on that guy now that you have given me the idea.

Jesus is THE life,
Leonard

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