effect and affact

[jiang]

Dear teachers,

I am confused by the following sentences:

No.1
Climate has a great effect on people's lives. This sentence means 'Climate changes peple's lives'. Is that right? Can I say 'Climate has a great affection on people's lives'?

No.2
Weather affects the way people feel, too. Does it mean 'Weather has an effect on people's feeling'? And does it mean it is a bad thing?

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.

Jiang

[ONI]

effect is the noun form while affect is the verb form.

In your first sentence, you are right in the meaning that people are influenced by climate. However, you cannot replace effect by affection. Affection means a feeling of liking for a person or place.

In your second sentence, the meaning is similar to what you say in the thread. I don't think it has a negative sense.

I hope that helps!

[rewboss]

ONI is correct.

All I can add is that even native speakers have problems with "affect" and "effect", so if you see "affect" when it should be "effect", don't be confused.

Also, the verb "to effect" does exist, but it means something slightly different. You won't ever need to use it, but if you see a sentence like, "He effected many changes," it means that he caused many changes to happen.

So: normally, "effect" is a noun and "affect" is a verb. But if you see "effect" as a verb, it probably means "to make something happen"; and if you see "affect" as a noun, it's probably a spelling mistake.

[jiang]

Hi ONI,

Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see.

Best wishes,

Jiang

effect is the noun form while affect is the verb form.

In your first sentence, you are right in the meaning that people are influenced by climate. However, you cannot replace effect by affection. Affection means a feeling of liking for a person or place.

In your second sentence, the meaning is similar to what you say in the thread. I don't think it has a negative sense.

I hope that helps!

[jiang]

Dear rewboss,

Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see.

Best wishes,

Jiang

ONI is correct.

All I can add is that even native speakers have problems with "affect" and "effect", so if you see "affect" when it should be "effect", don't be confused.

Also, the verb "to effect" does exist, but it means something slightly different. You won't ever need to use it, but if you see a sentence like, "He effected many changes," it means that he caused many changes to happen.

So: normally, "effect" is a noun and "affect" is a verb. But if you see "effect" as a verb, it probably means "to make something happen"; and if you see "affect" as a noun, it's probably a spelling mistake.