“Effect” or “Affect”?

• Effect is usually used as a noun.
• Affect is almost always used as a verb

• Effect is usually the result of something
• To affect usually means to influence something

Examples:

• The rain affected his mood.
• The rain had an effect on his mood.
• She affected my decision.
• His headache was an effect of too many late nights.
• I try not to let him affect my behaviour.
• This music has a soothing effect.

It might help to think of a raven:

• Remember: Affect – Verb, Effect – Noun.

Of course, there are exceptions and other meanings:

• Effect can be used as a verb, meaning to make something happen: “His hard work effected the results he wanted”.
• Effect can be used when something is implemented: “The law came into effect in 2010”.
• An effect can refer to the sound, lighting or scenes of a movie or play: “The special effects were very impressive”.
• Effects can be used about possessions: “While he is at the gym he leaves his personal effects in a locker”.
• The phrase “in effect” is an idiom, used to make the outcome of something a bit clearer: “She was, in effect, saying that she no longer liked him”.
• The phrase “to the effect that” is a similar idiom, used to explain the meaning of something someone has said: “He said something to the effect that he was sorry”.

• Affect can be used as a noun, particularly in health, sociology and psychology, meaning a feeling or mood: “The man, having been depressed, displayed a sad affect”.
• To affect can mean to pretend: “He affected illness although he was really quite healthy”.