Confusing Words in English

affect – effect

Affect and effect are often confused,  even by native speakers of English. The most important thing to remember is that affect is used as a verb and effect is normally used as a noun. When they are used in this way, they are similar in meaning, signifying ‘influence’, ‘impact’ or ‘change’. Compare the following:

• ‘The really hot weather affected everybody’s ability to work.’
• ‘I know my neighbours play loud music late at night, but that doesn’t affect me.I can sleep through anything.’
• ‘The number of tourists travelling to Britain this year has not been affected by the strength of the pound.’
• ‘The tablets which he took every four hours had no noticeable effect on his headache.’
• ‘My words of comfort had little effect. She just went on crying and wouldn’t stop.’

Note: we talk about someone or something having an effect on something or someone. If we use effect as a verb, it means to ‘carry out’ or to ‘cause something to happen’, but it is used only in very formal English. Consider the following:

• ‘Repairs could not be effected because the machines were very old.’

.efficient – effective

These two qualitative adjectives are often confused, Kisy. If somebody or something is efficient, then he, she or it works in a well-organised way, without wasting time or energy. Consider the following examples:

• ‘She was efficient in everything she did and was frequently commended for exemplary service to the organisation.’
• ‘He hasn’t made very efficient use of his time in revising for these exams: he has made no notes and his concentration spans appear to last for no longer than ten minutes.’
• ‘This engine is really efficient, it can run for 30 km on only 1 litre of fuel.’

If something is effective, it works well and produces the results that were intended. Consider the following examples:

• ‘The only effective way to avoid hay fever at this time of the year, if you are a sufferer, is to stay indoors.’
• ‘These tablets really are effective. My headache’s much better now.’

home  – house

House describes a particular type of building.

Home is the place where you live and feel that you belong to.

Compare the following:

• ‘Most people in Britain live in semi-detached houses.’
• ‘We’re going to buy Emma a doll’s house for Christmas.’
• ‘The Houses of Parliament in London are visited by 50,000 people each year.’
• ‘I’ve enjoyed living abroad for the last six years, but it’s time for me to go back home now!’
• ‘We were at home in bed when our car was stolen from outside the house.’
• ‘These children need a good home and we are in a position to give them one.’

Note also the differences in meaning and use between ‘houseproud’, ‘housework’ and ‘homework’, ‘homesick’ and ‘homeless’.

Study the following:

• ‘I did my housework (i.e. cleaning the house) this morning and my homework (work given to me by my school to do at home) this afternoon.’
• ‘People say that I’m houseproud because I spend so much time cleaning the house so that others will admire it.’
• ‘She said that she was missing her home and family so much. She sounded really homesick.’
• ‘I am homeless. I have no home to go to.