Affect and effect are easy to mix up. Here’s the short version of how to use affect vs.

effect. Affect is usually a verb, and it means to impact or change. Effect is usually a
noun, an effect is the result of a change. Watch out! There are certain situations and fixed
phrases that break the general usage rules for these words.
Now that the basics are out of the way, the time has come to learn the intricacies of how
to use affect and effect effectively. Or is it affectively? If you’re lucky, it may well be a
little bit of both. (For the curious, effective would mean successful in this context. And
when it comes to grammar, success is the goal.)
The Difference Between Affect and Effect
Is it affect or effect? In a nutshell, affect is a verb and effect is a noun. At least (spoiler
alert!), most of the time. In the majority of cases, you’ll encounter the words as these
parts of speech.
So, if A affects B, B experiences the effect of A’s action.
Huh?
Imagine Ruby (A) pushes Raphael (B) into a pond. Ruby affects where Raphael is
standing. Raphael being wet is the effect of Ruby’s irresistible urge to push him into a
pond.
Because Ruby performed an action, that signals the use of a verb: affect. The result, or
effect, of that verb is “wetness,” a noun that is probably causing Raphael a whole lot of
discomfort.
Affect and effect are different parts of speech, but they sound almost identical. Sound-
alike pairs like affect vs. effect are tricky because many people pronounce them
as homophones, which means, well, that they sound alike. Bear/bare, here/hear, and
write/right are other examples. So when it comes to writing the right word, here are the
rules to help you bear the struggle.
When to Use Affect
Affect means to influence or to produce a change in something.
The tornado affected citizens within forty miles of Topeka. The medicine will affect your
eyesight for at least an hour. Winning the swimming medal affected Tina’s performance
in school, too.
Here’s a tip: Here’s a mnemonic: A is for action. Verbs are about action. Affect starts
with an A, so it’s a verb. Presto.