Query..

[swatiharmilapi]

Hi,

Many elevators mention ''20 persons allowed''. Isn't this incorrect? Just the way it is not ''peoples'' but ''people''?

Secondly, what's the difference between affect and effect?

Regards,
Swati

 

[emsr2d2]

Hi,

Many elevators mention ''20 persons allowed''. Isn't this incorrect? Just the way it is not ''peoples'' but ''people''?

Secondly, what's the difference between affect and effect?

Regards,
Swati

"Persons" is quite frequently used in "official" terms. You will hear, in the UK at least, the police say "5 persons have been arrested....." By this, they mean "individuals". I have seen similar signs in lifts and I believe that "person" is used to mean "one human body" therefore "persons" seems to be the accepted form.

Effect - noun and verb
As a noun, it refers to the outcome of something. "The effect of global warming is that there will be more rain".
As a verb, it means to cause something to happen. "The new Prime Minister hopes to effect change in the economy quickly."

Affect - verb only
It means to make something happen to something/someone. "His mood affected his work."

 

[bhaisahab]

Contrary to popular belief, "people" is not the plural of "person". "Persons" is the plural of "person".

 

[swatiharmilapi]

Dear Bhaisahab,

I was referring to person/s and people/s separately only.

Regards,
Swati

 

[Raymott]

Affect - verb only
It means to make something happen to something/someone. "His mood affected his work."

Affect is also a noun. /'aefekt/ It means mood, emotion.
He seems to have a blunted affect. Is he depressed?
His affect affected his work.
It's extensively used in psychology, medicine, psychiatry, etc. but is not well-known among lay people.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affect