If you have trouble keeping them straight, that’s the most important thing to know. There’s something here for you, too.īut first, the basics: “Affect” is usually a verb. Before you go: Did you know that sometimes “affect” is a noun and sometimes “effect” is a verb? If not, stick around. I know what some of you are thinking: “I already know ‘affect’ from ‘effect.’ Goodbye.” So how about just one quick primer on a very fundamental usage point that ranks high on every literate person’s must-know list - an easy yet crucial lesson that could improve anyone’s writing in the new year: the difference between “affect” and “effect”? And people with other priorities wouldn’t listen to little old me, anyway. As you can guess, people who want to learn more about language don’t need a nudge from me. The response has been overwhelming: thousands upon thousands of emails pouring into my inbox cheering on my new movement and seeking out advice on how to polish one’s grammar skills to perfection. In a recent column, I made the case for resolving to learn more about language and grammar in the new year.

You had an effect on me