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Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Tip for Tuesday - Writing Related

We all get confused by word usage some times or is that sometimes . . . ?

Here are some A to Z's of Writing Words or maybe the A to E's - beginning with "A"

Accept, except

Accept is to agree
Except is to leave out

Advice, advise

Advice is a noun and means a recommendation
Advise is a verb that means to give advice

Affect, effect


Affect is a verb that means "to cause a change in" or "influence" (however, it's a noun in psychology which means "emotional impact"
Effect as a noun means "result or conclusion" as a verb effect is to "bring about".

Hope these tips are helpful to some of you writers out there.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Affect/effect still drives me nuts. One is a verb. One is a noun. People!

Jen on the Edge said...

Ooh, I'm with Green Girl, the affect/effect thing bugs me.

I also wish that folks would learn the differences among "your" and "you're," as well as "their," "there," and "they're." And definitely "its" vs. "it's."

And I won't even get into using apostrophes to make words plural.

Stephanie Faris said...

Affect/effect always holds me up. I'm getting there, though!

Rena Jones said...

It really bothers me when people use words incorrectly. However, I'm sure I've done it myself, so I guess I shouldn't be too harsh.

David Batista said...

The only one I ever have trouble with is "affect/effect," and even that I've been able to tutor myself to recognize the difference.

The others seem like common sense, though.

Jody Hedlund said...

Very helpful! I always have trouble with these!

Susan R. Mills said...

The Writer's Digest Grammar Desk Reference book has a long list of these types of words. I agree with those who have commented before me about affect/effect. I have to think about it every time!

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

ugh dont remind me :)

Kelly Polark said...

I'm with Jen on the misuse of your, you're, their, they're! It bugs me! My sister misused them twice on Facebook, and I had to tease her because she is megasmart with a masters from Northwestern!

Christina Farley said...

These are good reminders. Thanks!

Grumpy, M.D. said...

The affect/effect thing is a pain. Recently ledd to a crossfire on my blog.

Katie said...

Ugh! I HATE the affect-effect one! I understand that "effect" is a noun, but it can also (very rarely) be a verb. It's at those times where I totally lose it and try to come up with a synonym. LOL!