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June 27, 2024
When to use 'while' vs. 'whilst'
“While” and “whilst” are usually interchangeable, but not always. See how they differ and learn how to use them effectively.
Learn moreYou’re not alone: These homophones wreak havoc for writers of all ages. Don’t let confusion affect your ability to write clearly—untangle the affect versus effect question with this effective primer.
Spelling, part of speech, and, of course, meaning—there are plenty of differences between the words affect and effect. These two homophones (words that sound alike but are spelled differently) have been known to trip up many turns of phrase. Let’s look at the differences between the two.
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Learn MoreTypically used as a verb, affect—with an A—means to cause a change to something:
Sometimes it may mean to pretend something:
This noun can indicate the result of a change—or the thing that causes the change:
As a plural noun, effect can also be used to refer to items—as in one’s personal effects.
It can be helpful to remember that affects cause effects. Or, that A comes before E. Or that the concept of cause-and-effect lays bare the approach to using these terms. Whatever trick you use, if you keep in mind that affect is the verb and effect is the noun, you should be well on your way to keeping the two straight. Unless, of course, you run into an exception.
What would rules be without exceptions, hm? Here’s where the cause-and-effect approach to remembering how to use affect and effect doesn’t apply:
Confused yet? Don’t worry. Thankfully, most anywhere you do your digital drafting features built-in grammar help, like Microsoft Editor. When in doubt, double check your usage.
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