Towards more picturesque speech: “effect”

An “effect” is, always, a noun. One may speak of the “rainbow effect”, “special effects” or the effect generated by a pedal like Ibanez’s tube-screamer Jim Dunlop’s Cry-Baby Wah.

Put those two puppies together: now that’s an effect.

But do 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 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 delivery of a notice” when you mean “deliver a notice”?

Why say “effect the butchery of a perfectly good sentence” when you mean -

Well, you get the point.