Whats the difference between affect/effect?

This is a confusing issue, and can easily be decided – effect is a noun, and affect is a verb.

But sometimes there are special cases where it isn’t so black and white. These are the some points to help.(See what each word means below)

Affect – as a verb: to act upon; as an adjective: influence by an outside force

Also it gets a little daunting when it is used in the medical practice. Affect can be used when we are talking about attacking or infecting such as a disease. Exp: Fever can affect the heart. or …The disease did not affect her skin.

It is influencing. Use the word ‘influence’ in place of affect to see if it works. Or try ‘change’ – then it is more likely effect.

Effect – as a noun: result, consequence; as a verb: to bring about

Think of it meaning result. If you have a word ‘the’ or ‘an’ in front, (also take, into, any, and, no) it is most likely effect. Exp: The effect of hot water on ice is…. or…..It is an effect of the following….

Effect can sometimes/but rarely used as a verb. Such as creating. If you can replace “result”, or “to bring about” for “effect” – But when in doubt, use Affect.

If you were to try to place ‘result’ in for the sentence used in Affect – The disease did not result her skin. It doesn’t make sense.

To make things more complicated, Effect can be used in scientific areas such as when you are talking about ’cause and effect’ – Who was the doctor who effected a cure for polio?

Lastly, if you understand all the above, then you should get this defining line: IF YOU AFFECT A SITUATION, YOU HAVE AN EFFECT ON IT.

Affect (fromyourdictionary.com)

1. To have an influence on or effect a change in: Inflation affects the buying power of the dollar.
2. To act on the emotions of; touch or move.
3. To attack or infect, as a disease: Rheumatic fever can affect the heart

Effect (fromyourdictionary.com)

1. Something brought about by a cause or agent; a result.
2. The power to produce an outcome or achieve a result; influence: The drug had an immediate effect on the pain. The government’s action had no effect on the trade imbalance.
   
3. A scientific law, hypothesis, or phenomenon: the photovoltaic effect.
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4. Advantage; avail: used her words to great effect in influencing the jury.
   
5. The condition of being in full force or execution: a new regulation that goes into effect tomorrow.
   
6. 1. Something that produces a specific impression or supports a general design or intention: The lighting effects emphasized the harsh atmosphere of the drama.
   2. A particular impression: large windows that gave an effect of spaciousness.
   3. Production of a desired impression: spent lavishly on dinner just for effect.
      
7. The basic or general meaning; import: He said he was greatly worried, or words to that effect.

Having Problems pronouncing medical words? Here is some help!

Pronouncing Medical Words

 

Only the second vowel is pronounced for ae and oe.

            Example:   bursae, pleurae, roentgen

 

Before e, i, and y, the sounds of s and j take the place of letters c and g.

            Example:   cerebrum, cycle, cyte,          gingivitis, gel

 

The letters ch are sometimes pronounced like k

            Example:   cholesterol, cholera,             chondrocyte

 

Before other letters, c and g have a hard sound.

            Example:   cardiac, cast, gastric, gonad

 

When pn appears at the beginning of a word, the p is silent and only the n is pronounced.

            Example:   pneumonia

 

When pn appears in the middle of a word, the p and the n are pronounced.

            Example:   orthopnea and hyperpnea.

 

When ps appears at the beginning of a word, the p is silent and only the s is pronounced.

            Example:   psychology and psychosis

 

When forming the final letter or letters of a word, e and es are often pronounced as separate syllables.

            Example:   syncope, systole, nares

 

When i appears at the end of a word (to form a plural) is it pronounced eye.

            Example:   bronchi, fungi, nuclei

 

Singular to Plural Suffixes

 

Single Form	Plural Form	Rule	Single Example	Plural Example
-a	-ae	Retain the a and add e	pleura	pleurae
-ax	-aces	Drop the x and add ces	thorax	thoraces
-en	-ina	Drop the en and add ina	lumen	lumina
-is	-es	Drop the is and add es	diagnosis	diagnoses
-ix	-ices	Drop the ix and add ices	appendix	Appendices
-ex	-ices	Drop the ex and add ices	apex	apices
-ma	-mata	Retain the ma and add ta	carcinoma	carcinomata
-on	-a	Drop on and add a	ganglion	ganglia
-um	-a	Drop um and add a	bacterium	bacteria
-us	-i	Drop us and add i	bronchus	Bronchi
-y	-ies	Drop y and add ies	deformity	deformities

 

Here is a list of all downloads available. Just click on link, and save to your desktop – Laura Barron

 Only current worksheets will be linked. The others will become available as we review their areas.

Exam worksheets are always available in SI, then the week of the exam, they will be available here.

Exam I Worksheets:

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functions-exam1

vocabulary-exam-1