I understand the differences between affect and effect, and generally when to use them. However, in some cases while reading I have seen authors use the phrase "effect a change" (among others) meaning, I think, to cause a change, or to bring about a change. Using "affect a change" seems wrong/awkward; so is this acceptable use?
2
-
No, "affect a change" is an error.– tchrist ♦Feb 4, 2014 at 14:46
-
1@tchrist I'd say many people affect change more often than they effect it ;)– Jon HannaFeb 4, 2014 at 15:20
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
You effect a change when you cause the change to occur. When you are the one to bring the change about.
You affect a change when you change the change. When the change is already there and you influence it.
answered Feb 4, 2014 at 15:04
-
It would be interesting to test whether people who speak a dialect which doesn't distinguish between /ɪˈfɛkt/ and /əˈfɛkt/ are more likely to confuse them. Feb 4, 2014 at 16:41
-
Here in the Bible Belt, they are often pronounced the same. That's not the worst, though. People say "are" for "our" and "ole" for "oil"/"bowl" for "boil", and it figuratively kills me.– TylerHFeb 4, 2014 at 18:25