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Why This Matters for Nursing: Using the wrong word can change meaning entirely. "Affect" vs. "effect" in a patient note could cause confusion. Clear word choice ensures accurate communication.
Many English words sound alike (homophones) or look similar but have different meanings. The TEAS tests your ability to choose the correct word.
Affect vs. Effect: - Affect = Action (verb) - Effect = End result (noun)
There/Their/They're: - There = location (there) - Their = possession (their stuff) - They're = they are (contraction)
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affect | Verb | To influence | "The medication will affect her mood." |
| Effect | Noun | Result | "The effect was immediate relief." |
Exception: "Effect" can be a verb meaning "to bring about": "to effect change"
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| There | Location | "The chart is over there." |
| Their | Possession | "Their appointments are today." |
| They're | They are | "They're waiting in the lobby." |
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Your | Possession | "Your test results arrived." |
| You're | You are | "You're scheduled for 3 PM." |
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Its | Possession | "The hospital updated its policy." |
| It's | It is | "It's time for medication." |
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| To | Direction/infinitive | "Go to the lab." / "Ready to begin." |
| Too | Also/excessive | "Me too." / "Too much pain." |
| Two | Number | "Two patients waiting." |
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Than | Comparison | "Better than yesterday." |
| Then | Time/sequence | "Check vitals, then document." |
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Accept | Receive/agree | "Accept the assignment." |
| Except | Exclude | "All patients except one." |
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Principal | Main/leader | "The principal investigator." |
| Principle | Rule/belief | "Ethical principles." |
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lose | To misplace | "Don't lose the chart." |
| Loose | Not tight | "The bandage is loose." |
| Words | Meanings | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Lie/Lay | Lie = recline; Lay = place | "Lie down" / "Lay the chart here" |
| Who's/Whose | Who is / Possession | "Who's on call?" / "Whose chart?" |
| Farther/Further | Physical distance / Abstract | "Farther down the hall" / "Further discussion" |
| Fewer/Less | Countable / Uncountable | "Fewer patients" / "Less pain" |
| Compliment/Complement | Praise / Complete | "Nice compliment" / "Complement each other" |
Sentence: "The new policy will (affect/effect) patient care."
Step 1 — Identify what part of speech you need. Ask: is the blank asking for a doing word (verb) or a result/thing (noun)?
Step 2 — Read the sentence structure: "The new policy will ___ patient care." The blank comes after the helping verb "will." In English, "will" is always followed by a base verb. So we need a verb.
Step 3 — Apply the memory trick: Affect = Action (verb). Effect = End result (noun). - Affect is the verb → matches what we need ✓ - Effect is the noun → doesn't work after "will" ✗
Answer: "The new policy will affect patient care."
Check your work: Could you say "The new policy will effect patient care"? Only if you mean "bring about" — an uncommon usage. In 95% of TEAS questions, affect = verb and effect = noun.
The worked examples and practice problems are the part that actually prepares you for the TEAS.
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