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Author Topic: Words and Grammar and Stuff  (Read 126175 times)

alexarch

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Re: Words and Grammar and Stuff
« Reply #60 on: May 10, 2008, 10:07:35 PM »
You should probably move your computer out of the greenhouse, it's starting to affect your brain.
I know this is an appropriate query for faceboy.  Please explain the difference between affect and effect as verb.  (I understand effect as a noun.)  And this is a sincere request.  I'm all into words right now.

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/affect.html

I think, basically, "effect" as a verb means "to create" or "to bring about" whereas "affect" means "to have influence on" — alter, impact, etc.  So Obama will effect change, whereas McCain will affect my sanity.

I hope that answers your queery.

pixote
See, I still don't still see the difference.  And every time I come to a point in a sentence where I have to use one of the two, I'll start flop-sweating.

pixote

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Re: Words and Grammar and Stuff
« Reply #61 on: May 10, 2008, 10:09:11 PM »
Have an example?

Also, does it help to relate the verbs to the nouns?  effect = put into effect, affect = change the affect of?

This is important to me because I am deathly afraid of flop-sweat.

Wait, what is flop-sweat anyway?

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pixote

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Re: Words and Grammar and Stuff
« Reply #62 on: May 10, 2008, 10:18:04 PM »
Well the dictionary is certainly no help here:

Quote
af·fect
–verb (used with object) 1. to act on; produce an effect or change in

But, anyway, when in doubt, go with "affect" — it's much more common (in verb form).

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alexarch

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Re: Words and Grammar and Stuff
« Reply #63 on: May 10, 2008, 10:18:45 PM »
I've always thought that a politician endeavored to affect change, when according to your article Obama wishes to effect change.  It's such a fine, fine point; I'm not sure I'll ever be sure.  It's like the to two Spanish words for "to be." Yo estoy cansado.  Yo soy Alex.  The definitions are so close to each other that it's really difficult to understand the fine distinction.

duder

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Re: Words and Grammar and Stuff
« Reply #64 on: May 10, 2008, 10:25:52 PM »
It's like the to two Spanish words for "to be." Yo estoy cansado.  Yo soy Alex.  The definitions are so close to each other that it's really difficult to understand the fine distinction.

No, the distinction is pretty clear  :P
...

pixote

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Re: Words and Grammar and Stuff
« Reply #65 on: May 10, 2008, 10:26:46 PM »
Sure, when you're sober in Portugal.

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oneaprilday

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Re: Words and Grammar and Stuff
« Reply #66 on: May 10, 2008, 10:39:29 PM »
Have an example?

Also, does it help to relate the verbs to the nouns?  effect = put into effect, affect = change the affect of?


I think you mean "affect = change the effect of"

"Affect" we rarely use as a noun. In other words, if you can put a "the" in front of it, you almost certainly need "effect."


oneaprilday

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Re: Words and Grammar and Stuff
« Reply #67 on: May 10, 2008, 10:43:06 PM »
How about this one: "anxious" vs. "eager"

I often say something like, "I'm anxious to see [insert film I really want to see]."

But "anxious" implies "anxiety" or "fear."

Should we be sticklers and insist on "eager" instead of "anxious"?

pixote

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Re: Words and Grammar and Stuff
« Reply #68 on: May 10, 2008, 10:47:23 PM »
Also, does it help to relate the verbs to the nouns?  effect = put into effect, affect = change the affect of?
I think you mean "affect = change the effect of"

No, I meant "affect" (in the psychological sense).

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alexarch

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Re: Words and Grammar and Stuff
« Reply #69 on: May 10, 2008, 10:47:37 PM »
I fear seeing movies sometimes.  I like drama in my verbs.  "Eager to see a movie" makes me think that I'm creaming my jeans to see a movie.  "Anxious to see a movie" makes think me that I'm tremulous about the outcome of said movie-going.  I'd rather estoy the latter.

 

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