Most people (including myself) have trouble or have had trouble trying to figure out which to use when. Honestly, you’re not alone when it comes to the challenge that effect vs. And, when there’s action involved and you need a verb, affect is the word to go with. But a good starting point is to remember that when you need a noun, use effect. We’ll get to the nitty-gritty of the usage details below. effect, remember this: affect is a verb and effect is a noun. I hope this helps.When confused between affect vs.

They affected Italian accents for their parents when they came home from their trip.She affected concern for her neighbors.He always affects a look of surprise when the children draw him pictures.Sometimes, especially in formal contexts, affect is used to mean 'to pretend that a false behavior or feeling is natural or genuine.' The following example sentences show this use: The people urged the government to effect reform.The directors hoped to effect a smooth transition by working together during the merger.The manager had the power to effect change within the company.The following example sentences show this use: Sometimes, especially in formal writing, effect is used as a verb to mean 'to cause something to happen'.

= Staying up late does not affect my ability to wake up early.

Staying up late has no effect on my ability to wake up early.

= The medicine affects your ability to stay awake.

One side effect of the new medicine is sleepiness.

= The teacher affects the children in a positive way.

The new teacher has a positive effect on the children.

= Your diet has an effect on your weight.

Pollution in the air affects our health.

= The weather had an effect on our travel plans.

The weather affected our travel plans.

The following example sentences show these uses: Affect is a verb almost always used to mean 'to act on (someone or something) and cause a change.' Effect is almost always used as a noun to mean 'a change that results when something is done or happens.' In other words, when you affect something, you cause an effect.

To have an effect on someone