Effect: Difference between revisions

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An [[effect]] is, ''always'', a [[noun]]. One may speak of the '''rainbow effect''', '''special effects''' or, if one is a fan of the [[electric guitar]], an '''effects pedal''' like Ibanez’s [[Tube Screamer]]<ref>{{google|tube-screamer}}.</ref> or Jim Dunlop’s [[Cry-Baby Wah-Wah]]<ref>{{google|Jim_Dunlop_Cry-Baby}}.</ref>.
An [[effect]] is, ''always'', a [[noun]]. One may speak of the '''rainbow effect''', '''special effects''' or, if one is a fan of the [[electric guitar]], an '''effects pedal''' like Ibanez’s [[Tube Screamer]]<ref>{{google|tube-screamer}}.</ref> or Jim Dunlop’s [[Cry-Baby Wah-Wah]]<ref>{{google|Jim_Dunlop_Cry-Baby}}.</ref>.


Put those two puppies together: now ''that’s'' an effect.
Put those two puppies together: now ''that’s'' an “[[effect]]”. This is to say: the only place for “effects” is in front of a guitar amp, and even then you should stomp on the damn things.


But one must ''not'' use [[effect]] as a {{tag|verb}}, even as a space-filler, however clamorously your inner [[Mediocre lawyer|articled clerk]] implores you to. “Effect” is the weakest {{tag|verb}} in the English language. Whatever you are intending to “[[effect]]” is almost certain to be a [[nominalisation]] of a stronger, better [[verb]]; one better suited to the task you have in mind.  
One must ''not'' use [[effect]] as a [[verb]], even as a space-filler, however clamorously your inner [[Mediocre lawyer|articled clerk]] implores you to. “Effect” is the weakest [[verb]] in the English language. Whatever you are intending to “[[effect]]” is almost certain to be a [[nominalisation]] of a stronger, better [[verb]]; one better suited to the task you have in mind.  


{{plain|effect the conversion of shares|convert the shares}}
{{plain|effect the conversion of shares|convert the shares}}
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Well, you get the point.
Well, you get the point.
{{seealso}}
{{sa}}
*[[Nominalisation]]
*[[Nominalisation]]
*[[Noun]]s and [[verb]]s in their proper place.
*[[Noun]]s and [[verb]]s in their proper place.
{{plainenglish}}
{{ref}}
{{ref}}

Latest revision as of 13:30, 14 August 2024

Towards more picturesque speech
The original TS-808 Tube Screamer - everything you need for that fat, creamy, crying tone.
SEC guidance on plain EnglishIndex: Click to expand:
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An effect is, always, a noun. One may speak of the rainbow effect, special effects or, if one is a fan of the electric guitar, an effects pedal like Ibanez’s Tube Screamer[1] or Jim Dunlop’s Cry-Baby Wah-Wah[2].

Put those two puppies together: now that’s an “effect”. This is to say: the only place for “effects” is in front of a guitar amp, and even then you should stomp on the damn things.

One must not use effect as a verb, even as a space-filler, however clamorously your inner articled clerk implores you to. “Effect” is the weakest verb in the English language. Whatever you are intending to “effect” is almost certain to be a nominalisation of a stronger, better verb; one better suited to the task you have in mind.

Why say “effect the conversion of shares” when you mean “convert the shares”?
Why say “effect the delivey of a notice” when you mean “deliver a notice”?
Why say “effect the butchery of a perfectly good sentence” when you mean -

Well, you get the point.

See also

References