日米会話学院 Podcasting

2006.08.15

030_Confusing_Words_01

Some pairs of words in English are particularly easy to confuse. This episode, Nichibei student Ryo ask Matt Trengove about the words affect and effect.

Kevin:

Hello once again everyone and welcome to Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting, A great way to review English words and phrases. My name is Kevin Jones. Today I am here with Nichibei student Reo

Reo:

Good to see you, Kevin.

Kevin:

And also with us here is Nichibei instructor Matt Trengove.

Hello Matt, how are you.

Matt Trengove:

Great Kevin. Thanks.

Kevin:

Reo, you are studing in the AEC program this summer at Nichibei, right?

Reo:

Yes, that's right.

Kevin:

How's that going?

Reo:

Very well thanks. It's a three week university preparation course and it finishes up this week.

Kevin:

What are you doing after that?

Reo:

I'm off to Simon Frasier University to study sociology and anthropology.

Kevin:

That sounds great. Simon Fraser University is in Vancouver, Canada right.

Reo:

Yeah that's right.

Kevin:

Oh, you'll love the Pacific Northwest. It's so beautiful there.

Reo:

I'm looking forward to it.

Kevin:

So Reo, what's your question for us today?

Reo:

Well, I have a lot of questions about pairs of confusing words in English.

Kevin:

OK. What are the first two words.

Reo:

The first two words are affect and effect.

Kevin:

Uh oh! Those are two words I've always confused myself.

Reo:

No way! Really?

Kevin:

Yeah. It's true. Luckily, we've got Nichibei instructor Matt Trengove with us. Matt, what can you tell us about affect and effect.

Matt Trengove:

Well, even native speakers of English have trouble with a affect A_F_F_E_C_T_ and effect E_F_F_E_C_T. The key point 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. So the phrase have an effect is similar to the word affect.
Are you with me so far?

Reo:

Yeah, I think I understand. affect is usually a verb and effect is usually a noun.

Matt Trengove:

Good. Now. Which word would I use in this sentence, I'll say "blank" where the word affect or effect should go OK?

Reo:

OK

Matt Trengove:

The "blank" of global warming is longer summers.

Reo:

The noun effect. The effect of global warming is longer summers.

Matt Trengove:

Perfect. Now try this sentence. Global warming has "blank" the weather.

Reo:

The verb affect. Global warming has affected the weather.

Matt Trengove:

Good Reo. Now I'd like you to try two sentences on your own.

Reo:

OK. You really shouldn't drink and drive. Drinking will affect your driving.

Matt Trengove:

Good Reo.

Reo:

Drinking alcohol can have a bad effect on health.

Matt Trengove:

Good Reo, I think you understand the basic usage of the verb affect and the noun effect.

Reo:

That was easy.

Matt Trengove:

Well, it is a little bit more difficult than that. This is just the basics, so I suggest you study further using any good dictionary. Just look up the word affect or effect and you will find a usage note.

Reo:

OK, let give you my next two words which are effec...

Kevin:

Ahh sorry Reo, we've run out of time for this episode. Can we continue with this in next weeks episode?

Reo:

Yeah OK, That's fine.

Matt Trengove:

That's fine with me.

Kevin:

Now, before we go, we have a special announcement from the Nichibei office from Emi. Hi Emi.

Emi:

Hi Kevin.

Kevin:

So Nichibei is moving.

Emi:

Yep, it's moving to Iidabashi.

Kevin:

Why's that.

Emi:

Because we're making a...we're building a new building.

Kevin:

How long has Nichibei been in this building.
Emi It's probably been more than thirty years.

Kevin:

More than fourty I think.

Emi:

More than....I think so. Nichibei was established in 1945 but we had a different building and then we moved to this one.

Kevin:

Are you excited about the move? You must be busy!

Emi:

We're very busy right now but the new place is very clean and nice.

Kevin:

Well, great news Emi, now go ahead and give us the Nihongo announcement.

Emi:

[Japanese Announcement]

Kevin:

Thanks a lot Emi.

Kevin:

Now let's review the vocabulary for this episode. The verb affect AFFECT. The war has affected oil prices. And the noun effect EFFECT. The war has had an effect on oil prices.

END

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