Effect: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Ibanez-ts808-vintage-tube-screamer.jpg|thumb|right|The original TS-808 - everything you need for that fat, creamy, crying tone.]]
[[File:Ibanez-ts808-vintage-tube-screamer.jpg|thumb|right|The original TS-808 - everything you need for that fat, creamy, crying tone.]]
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 legendary '''{{google|tube-screamer}}'''.
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 '''{{google|tube-screamer}}'' or Jim Dunlop’s {{google|Cry-Baby Wah-wah}}. Put those two puppies together: now ''that’s'' an effect.


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.  
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.  

Revision as of 16:22, 5 June 2017

The original TS-808 - everything you need for that fat, creamy, crying tone.

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 Let me Google that for you or Jim Dunlop’s Wah-wah Let me Google that for you. Put those two puppies together: now that’s an effect.

But 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”?

Plain English Anatomy™ Noun | Verb | Adjective | Adverb | Preposition | Conjunction | Latin | Germany | Flannel | Legal triplicate | Nominalisation | Murder your darlings