When is effect not a verb

Choosing between affect and effect can be scary. You can't affect the creepy poem by reading it, but you can enjoy the effect of a talking bird. In everyday speech, affect is a verb. It means to influence something, such as in the headline from the Albuquerque News ,. The downed power line had an impact on some power customers: they were without electricity overnight.

Effect is most commonly used as a noun meaning the result or impact of something, an outcome. The second sentence is from a story about the outcome of long-term sleeping trouble,.

Adding to the confusion, effect can also be used as a verb to mean to produce or to cause to come into being. Example: They discussed the effect of the law on children. Common usage The way one thing acts upon another. Example: The effect of the law has been to increase the use of alcohol. Not common, but acceptable in rare cases. To produce a result; to cause something to occur; to bring about an outcome.

Example: Smith said the cutbacks were designed to effect basic economies for the company. While correct in this case, is it really clear to all readers? The color gives the effect of being warm. He achieves amazing effects with wood. Verb As the whole progress of mathematics from its ancient simplicities to what we call its "higher" modern developments has been effected by assuming impossibilities and inconceivabilities, your line of argument does not seem to me conclusive.

Brocklehurst and Miss Temple, I had not, at the same time, neglected precautions to secure my personal safety; which I thought would be effected , if I could only elude observation. The duty of the legislature is to effect the will of the people. First Known Use of effect Noun 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 8a Verb , in the meaning defined at sense 1.

Learn More About effect. Time Traveler for effect The first known use of effect was in the 14th century See more words from the same century. Watch More on effect. How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect' Most of the time. From the Editors at Merriam-Webster. Phrases Related to effect cumulative effect ill effect knock-on effect. Style: MLA. English Language Learners Definition of effect Entry 1 of 2. Kids Definition of effect Entry 1 of 2. Kids Definition of effect Entry 2 of 2. Medical Definition of effect.

Legal Definition of effect Entry 1 of 2. Constitution amend. Legal Definition of effect Entry 2 of 2. Get Word of the Day daily email!