Aug
23
2010
Effect and affect can each be used as both a noun and a verb. They are easily confused as they sound similar and the two main usages are associated with something being changed or altered.
If you’re not sure which to use, a good rule of thumb is that effect is more often used as a noun and affect as a verb. This holds true for almost all situations in Standard English.
The two more common words
-Effect (Noun): A result or impact, something caused by something else.
“The new teacher had a positive effect (impact) on the school.”
-Affect (Verb): To alter or change (or have an effect on)
“The new teacher affected (altered) the way the school was run.”
The two less common words
-Effect (Verb): To cause something to happen or occur.
“The new teacher effected (brought about) curricular and disciplinary change.”
-Affect (Noun): A psychology term for an external display of emotion.
“The new teacher noticed that the boy had flat affect (showed no emotion).”
May
06
2010
Languid means something listless, weak or sluggish whereas limpid means something clear or transparent.
Reviewing a ecommerce website the client claimed, “Our site has been built on the pretense that customer service is our priority.”
The marketing team obviously meant premise, i.e. “the basis for” the company’s devotion to customers…
The word pretense means “pretending, a false claim, insincere or false profession “. This is certainly the last thing the marketing team wanted to imply!
Proofreading Advice: Spell checkers don’t pick up on these errors, so remember to always have your new copy proofread.
May
06
2010
Writing clear English is always hard but spelling can also be a challenge. Some spellings are particularly tough. Here is a quick test for you.
Choose the right word in each set of parentheses:
1. The central meeting room can ______________________ more people.
[accomodate/accommodate/accommodate]
2. Success requires _______________.
[committment/comittment/commitment]
3. I was _________________________when the plate fell on the floor.
[embarrased/embarrassed/embarassed]
4. I’ve _______________ so much on business I don’t know which country I’m in.
[traveled/travelled)
5. We are looking for __________________ suggestions for designs for our new brochure.
[inovative/innovative]
Answers:
1. accommodate.
2. commitment.
3. embarrassed.
4. Both spellings are correct
“Traveled” is more used in the US, and “travelled” in Europe.
5. innovative.
