Which word is the correct choice: "The results of the study (affect/effect) our understanding of climate change"?

Question

Accepted Answer

affect. The correct answer is "affect." In this sentence, a verb is needed because "results" are doing something to "our understanding." "Affect" is typically a verb meaning "to influence or have an impact on." The results of the study influence (affect) our understanding. "Effect" is typically a noun meaning "a result or consequence" (e.g., "the effects of climate change").

"Effect" as a verb means "to bring about or cause" (as in "to effect change"), which does not fit this sentence. While there are cases where either could be grammatically possible, this specific context clearly calls for the verb "affect." The sentence is grammatically sound, so "neither" is not correct.

The affect/effect distinction is one of the most commonly tested word-choice issues on the CLEP exam. The mnemonic RAVEN helps: Remember, Affect is a Verb, Effect is a Noun (in most cases). The exceptions are: "effect" as a verb meaning "to bring about" and "affect" as a noun in psychology meaning "emotion." Students who master this distinction avoid one of the most common errors in academic writing.

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