![]() ![]() The real problem arises when people confuse the first spelling with the second: “effect.” This too can be two different words. In this sort of context, “affect” means “to make a display of or deliberately cultivate.”Īnother unusual meaning is indicated when the word is accented on the first syllable (AFF-ect), meaning “emotion.” In this case the word is used mostly by psychiatrists and social scientists-people who normally know how to spell it. Speaking with a borrowed French accent or ostentatiously wearing a large diamond ear stud might be an affectation. Occasionally a pretentious person is said to affect an artificial air of sophistication. When “affect” is accented on the final syllable (a-FECT), it is usually a verb meaning “have an influence on”: “The million-dollar donation from the industrialist did not affect my vote against the Clean Air Act.” Would you like a current or future assignment to be reviewed by the Writing Center? If so please visit the Writing Center's Paper Reviews webpage and make an appointment with us!ĭo you have other general writing questions? Email the Writing Center at questions about your doctoral capstone or the form and style review? Email the form and style editors at to peruse other writing resources? Go to the Writing Center’s home page.There are five distinct words here. View a list of these commonly confused words on the Writing Center's website. ![]()
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