I try to write well. I am honestly not the best when it comes to grammar and I usually write by “what feels right.” To be less than humble, I think this practice has served me remarkably well in life. But sometimes I am just not sure… and I wish I’d paid better attention in school / hadn’t moved around so much in grade school that I completely missed several common lessons like state capitols and half the times tables. But that’s for another post entirely…
But this little nugget of genius from theoatmeal.com is the best explanation I’ve seen for knowing when to use affect and when to use effect – it’s brilliant! For nine other explanations about commonly misspelled words and which ones are right when… click here.
Mommablogsalot 
8 responses to “Don’t eat your children. Do write well.”
Hmmmm….I just told my students I will correct their grammar and speaking, but I will often misuse affect and effect….maybe I should print this out and post it.
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@ Jean : Seriously, I bet grade schoolers would eat this stuff up! (pun intended?)
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Love this! If only they would teach things this way in school, so many people would maybe get it.
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What a great site! I always have a problem with ensure/insure. It drives me bats when people mix up your and you’re.
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Thanks for the tip. I struggle with affect and effect too and this is a great way to remember it.
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This totally cracked me up since I’m taking english 101. Again. Only cause it’s been 20 yrs since I was in college before & well, I apparently don’t know anything. Like whether or not I’ve eaten my children instead of well, beaten them? Sorry, trying to be funny!
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I had a Facebook friend share that link from The Oatmeal with me. She knew I would appreciate it because I am a grammar and spelling Nazi. My kids call me the Grammar Queen. I don’t think they mean it as a compliment. 🙂
On the other hand, I am right with Angela about the World Geography. For some reason, no one thought this was important when I was growing up. Therefore, when there’s a tragedy somewhere, such as Haiti, I embarrassingly have to look on a map to see where it is. Same with World History. I never had to take it, and I wish I had.
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I feel the same way about school. Except, I didn’t move around. I am from such a small town I guess they didn’t feel that we needed to learn important things like, oh I don’t know, World Geography. I’m still trying to teach myself where all of the countries are.
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