Introduction / Context:
This question tests correct usage of effect and affect in a medical context and also whether you can match the noun form with the plural subject in the sentence. The sentence lists several outcomes of medication, namely bleeding, nausea, and vomiting, which are examples of adverse consequences. The correct word must be in the plural form, because multiple consequences are listed.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Sentence: Common adverse __________ of this medication include bleeding, nausea, and vomiting.
- Options: affects, effect, effects, affect.
- The list of three consequences suggests that the blank should contain a plural noun.
Concept / Approach:
In English, effect is usually a noun meaning result or outcome, while affect is usually a verb meaning to influence. The plural noun for multiple results is effects. Because the sentence states common adverse results of this medication, the correct choice is the plural noun effects. The spelling affects or affect would be incorrect here because those forms are either verbs or a different noun in psychology, not the simple plural noun needed in this sentence.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify what the sentence describes: negative results (adverse outcomes) of medication.
Step 2: Decide whether a noun or a verb is needed. After adverse, we need a noun, because adjectives are followed by nouns in such structures.
Step 3: Recognise that effect is the noun meaning result, and its plural is effects.
Step 4: Insert effects into the sentence: Common adverse effects of this medication include bleeding, nausea, and vomiting. This reads naturally and matches standard medical language.
Step 5: Test effect (singular). Common adverse effect of this medication include would create disagreement between singular effect and plural include and the multiple items listed.
Step 6: Test affect and affects. These forms are primarily verbs meaning to influence, so they do not fit after adverse in this noun position.
Verification / Alternative check:
Medical leaflets and drug information sheets routinely use the phrase side effects and adverse effects. For example, Common adverse effects include headache and dizziness. This is exactly the structure seen in the question. The word include also signals that what follows is a list of several items, which reinforces the need for a plural noun. All of this confirms that effects is the correct choice.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- affects: Usually a verb (He affects a serious manner), and not suitable after adverse in this noun slot.
- effect: Singular noun, which does not agree with the verb include or the list of several symptoms.
- affect: Base verb form, not a noun in standard usage, therefore grammatically incorrect here.
Common Pitfalls:
Many learners confuse effect and affect because they sound similar. A helpful rule is that effect is normally a noun (the effect of the medicine), and affect is normally a verb (The medicine will affect you). Another pitfall is ignoring number agreement; always check whether the sentence refers to one thing or several things. Words like common and include usually indicate plurality and should guide your choice of plural nouns like effects.
Final Answer:
The correct word is
effects, giving Common adverse effects of this medication include bleeding, nausea, and vomiting.
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