Grammar Help

[sg_lab2]

I'm usually very good with my grammar and spelling, but there are some things that trip me up. Affect and effect. I simply cannot keep these two words straight.

Can anyone please tell me the difference and if possible an example in a sentence for each?

Here are two sentences I wrote in a fic and I'm not sure if I've used the right word.

Tests showed no ill affects on Rodney.

It’s unclear if it will be permanent at this point and what the affects will be.

Comments

[xfkirsten.livejournal.com]

Well said! I used to correct the improper usage of "effect" and "affect" on exam questions when I was in college. Probably didn't win me many brownie points. ;)

That being said, your link disappoints me, for it is lacking one of my big pet peeves. I constantly see "ensure" and "insure" used interchangably, and it drives me nuts - I believe that they actually have two different meanings, do they not? As far as I know, "insure" refers to actual financial situations, whereas "ensure" just means to make sure. (I also pointed one this out to one of my professors when I saw it on a sign during a lab field trip to a local state park. Of course, her husband was the park official who put up the sign in the first place, so I don't think I won brownie points there, either)

[sg-lab.livejournal.com]

LOL, I'm always biting my tongue to keep from correcting my dad's terrible grammar.

[lamichelle.livejournal.com]

Well, it's a good starting point at least. :) I mostly like it because he writes in such a way that pretty much anyone can understand it, so I can point people there. Not everyone really wants to hear me going on about transitive and intransitive verbs. Don't know why... ;)

I'm pretty sure you're right about "ensure" and "insure" - that's one I've seen, too. And I love that story about the lab field trip. I've done things like that, too... but not to the person's spouse. Oops. :D