Bull's Eye Business Writing TipsTip #422: Affect vs. Effect:These FREE
weekly business writing tips
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Tip #422: Affect vs. Effect: Since I have had inquiries about how to use these words, I will go over the uses again. Affect:
Effect:
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Weekly Exercise:
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This week’s quiz:
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Laurie asked these questions about “affect” and “effect.” Please answer her: Hi Gloria: Thank you very much for the assistance. Here are the sentences which require improvement. Please let me know if any sentence could be either affect or effect. As well, please note the reason why I would use affect or effect in each case.
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Comments from our readers:
Interesting comments about “went missing”:
Gloria Herta commented:
I found the discussion on "went missing" fascinating. That term is used regularly on TV programs like "Without a Trace", "Numbers", CSI programs and Law & Order programs. I think it's one of those generally accepted (and recognized) expressions that mysteriously gets into our jargon and kind of "stick" because people readily understand what is meant when the expression is used in this context. I don't see the relevancy to use this expression in any other context than to refer to the fact that a person cannot be found. Applying this expression to an inanimate object just doesn't seem to fit. But somehow it does fit when applied to people.
Stephanie Dornbrook commented:
"Went missing" is a colloquialism, at best. Why not just say, "It is missing." "So and so is missing. Her absence was discovered yesterday at noon." Something "being discovered missing" doesn't make sense to me. One discovers the absence. If something is discover, it implies that it isn't missing anymore. If it is missing, how can one discover it? One discovers the absence or lack of the something.
Arthur commented:
"went missing" has got to be right up there on the current irritation list of terms that today's media are intent on torturing us with in an effort to be cute and folksy. It's origins are undoubtedly from British novels written by British authors for mostly British consumption which, in that setting is apt and fine. For most of us who frown on these fad affectations, it is a cause to grind our teeth--much like the mispronunciation of "nuclear", and "vulnerable".
Pat Graef,librarian, commented:
Regarding "went missing" - I have noticed this usage over the years, primarily as part of the Brits' vernacular: It is very commonly used there from my perspective, and has been part of their common language for at least 10 years. It seems to have migrated "across the pond" over the past few years. I have tried to develop an alternative to its succinct meaning, and have not been successful - therefore I have reluctantly accepted it as a useful expression, albeit one still awkward in its infancy in our language. (I have so far accepted it in hearing it used, but not yet in my using it in my own speech or writing.) It does seem to have entered into the Great American Vernacular Vocabulary almost hand in hand (in time) with an usage of the word "with" that I first heard out of the mouths of people in and from the Chicago area: "Do you want to come with?". I was always under the impression that "with" in such instances required an object, e.g. - "Do you want to come with me?" - and it still jumps out at me as technically incorrect, but defying my logic as to why it should not be used this way. I'd appreciate comments on this one.
Quote of the week:
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“According to a recent survey, 28% of Canadian workers often miss key information in written communications, and 63% miss key information once in a while. When asked to identify the costs of poorly written communications, 85% said ‘wasted time,’ 70% said ‘lost productivity,’ and 63% said ‘errors.’” (source/Communicare) |
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My answer to this week's exercise:
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To send the above exercise answers to Gloria for her comments and review, copy the questions, paste them into an email, answer them, and send to Marsha@basic-learning.com.
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10 Easy Guides for Getting to Your Writing Target
By Gloria Pincu, M.A. , President of Basic Learning Systems, Inc.
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