Janet Sumner Johnson
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Affect vs. Effect

Dear Grammar Nazi

Jun

09, 2010 |

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Dear Grammar Nazi,

I need your help. Your answer will effect a lot of people as we have a little bet going on at the office. See, Bill in Accounting says that ‘affect’ is a verb and ‘effect’ is a noun, but I’ve been using verbs for years now, and I’m certain ‘effect’ is a verb.

Rita in HR says we should ‘just look in a stinkin’ dictionary for crying out loud,’ but I trust you over a guy named “Merri” any day. So who’s right?

Counting on your help to pay off the bowling jersey and matching shoe set I splurged on. Best dressed bowler on the office team, baby!

Mr. Kirk N. Scottie

Dear Mr. Scottie,

Wow, I hate to think what kind of bets are taking place in your office that what I say would effect actual people. Right up there with the birds and bees. But perhaps you only meant I might affect people. I’ll pretend you did.
Ironically, you are both right.
Affect is a verb, as in to influence. For example:
Effect is a noun that can also be used as a verb. Noun:
And as a verb, meaning to cause or bring about:
Hope that helps as I’ve given you all that I got, capt’n.
Sincerely,

The Grammar Nazi

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