Dear Qwerty,
I’m so confused!
Affect vs Effect
Many times, it’s difficult to determine
whether to use affect or effect. My editor will tell you, even though I
understand the differences there are times when I use the wrong word. It
happens.
It doesn’t help when a dictionary states
the definition of affect is: to have
an effect on; make a difference
No wonder
we get confused!
Affect is a verb. It means to influence,
modify, or to act upon usually with emotion. (Think affection)
For example:
Tears didn’t affect his opinion.
The hurricane affected our summer plans.
He was affected deeply by the loss of his
long-time pet.
Anger affects people’s well-being.
The hurricane affected our vacation and
the after-effect of the winds caused damage to our yard.
Effect can be a verb or a noun. As a verb
it means to achieve or cause. As a noun it means result, impression, or
consequence.
For example: The boss’s bad day was
effected by his attitude.
The bruise on his knee effected how he
bowled.
We need to vote if we want to effect
change.
The boss’s bad mood had a terrible effect
on the employees.
The special effects in the movie were
fantastic.
His PTSD was an effect of working as a
bomb diffuser.
The second shot of Novocain had no effect.
I had a professor in college give us a tip
to avoid confusion. If it has to do with emotions, use affect. If it has to do
with anything else use effect. So far the tip has helped.
Lie vs Lay
This one I have trouble with sometimes,
just ask my editor!
Lie is a verb. It means to recline or rest
on a surface.
As in, you lie down to go to sleep.
Lay is also a verb. It means to put in
place.
You laid the keys on the table.
How about…
Set vs sit
People sit on something.
She sat on the bed. They sat on the
ground.
Objects are set or placed on something.
He set the drink next to him on the table.
Ensure vs insure
Ensure is the act of making sure something
happens.
She ensures us the book will come out on
time.
Insure is used in ‘official’ capacity. As
in insurance…
I insure the warrantee covers the airbag
replacement.
Elicit vs illicit
Elicit is a verb where you get a response
out of someone.
He elicited a confession from the suspect.
Illicit has to do with anything illegal --
catch the ill and you’ll never mix them up again.
His illicit behavior put him in jail.
Complement vs compliment
Complement enhances.
The pillows around the porch complemented
the view of the house.
Compliment is to praise someone.
She complimented her on the elegant gown
she wore to the masquerade ball.
Do you have a subject you’d like Dear
Qwerty, to cover? Let us know, DearQwerty@adcmagazine.com
This book’s for you. My whole point of writing it is to help all authors. I’ve had many established authors, aspiring authors, and WIP authors ask me a multitude of questions and I was more than happy to help. (WIP-work in progress) I took the most commonly asked questions and solutions and put them in a nifty, absolutely priceless book.
What you’ll find in Be More Successful with Marketing and AdvertiZING:
Social Media Marketing and AdvertiZING for Books or Any Business
Becoming a Bestseller
Saying NO and Being the Bad Guy
How to Write Incredible Click Enticing Promotions
Promoting Your Book With or Without a Publisher
How Much is That Advertisement in the Window?
Self-publishing Doesn’t Have to be a Disaster
How to Make Your Website Awesome
Taking the Plunge into Publishing Audio Books
How to Make More Sales at Book Signings
The Uniform of Success
Purchase Be More Successful with Marketing and AdvertiZING at your favorite bookstore or on Amazon.
E-Book $4.99
Paperback $9.99
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
You can find me:
Amazon.com/Pamela-Ackerson/e/B00QY1ARI4
Wondering what my qualifications are? Don't want to get any advice from someone who doesn't know what they're talking about? I understand! There are too many people out there giving bad advice.
The first thing I'm going to tell you is that the book industry is constantly changing and even the "experts" have to keep their ears to the ground to stay in the game!
Okay, so...Here goes.
I'm President of Marketing and Advertising for AdC Magazine. Affaire de Coeur Book Review Magazine has been in business since 1980. No small potatoes there! We've managed to survive all the ups and downs in the industry. www.adcmagazine.com
I'm an award-winning, Wall Street Journal, Amazon and Barnes and Noble bestselling author. I've been a published author since 1972. Yup, you read that right. My 10th grade high school teacher entered my sci-fi short story in the Science Fiction Reader's Digest Contest and I took first place. I continued to write and publish short stories for several years after that.
A short break--which felt like forever--in 1996 I finished my first novel. I was picked up by a publisher two years later and I haven't stopped since.
No comments:
Post a Comment