affect/effect

This troublesome twosome attracts constant attention.

Once again, the short vowel sounds require clarity when speaking in order to achieve accurate understanding and reduce distractions.

In writing, they are regularly confused even though their meanings differ significantly 

Here are some insights to help you apply them with confidence to your spoken and written communication:

In one instance, 'affect', a verb, means 'to be influenced by'.  In most contexts it carries the the inference of a negative impact.  For example: 'When the weather affects crops, market prices can fluctuate wildly.'

In relation to people, the use of 'affect' arises in the context of emotional impact and change.  For example: 'As her student and protege, he was deeply affected by her death.' 

As a verb, 'affect' can also mean 'to put on, immitate or assume' as in 'In a bid to make an impression, some aspiring leaders affect the speech and mannerisms of their admired role-models.'

'Affect' arises from the Latin afficiere which means 'to act upon'.

For the sake of clarity and understanding make sure that the first sound in affect is the sound in apple, hat and fact.

In contrast, 'effect' serves as a noun or as a verb.  The meaning carries either of the following:

• a result or outcome that is produced by a cause or an agent as in 'The effect of sunburn on the skin can ruin a summer holiday.'

• the power or ability to influence or produce a result as in 'By collaborating on the project, we effected a rise in sales of 20%.'

'Effect' arises from the Latin efficiere which means 'to accomplish'.

For the sake of clarity and understanding make sure that the first sound in effect is the sound in egg, leg and bed.