[not_apathetic_anymore]

Now do you have any tricks for affect/effect???? I'll often change whole sentences to avoid those words since I'm never really sure.

[Rocky]

You will be right 90% of the time if you use "affect" when you want a verb, and "effect" when you are looking for a noun. There is a verb "effect", but the occasion to use it doesn't arise nearly as often as the verb "affect".

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I never could keep that one straight. You're not alone.

[CharacterCounts]

Now do you have any tricks for affect/effect????

There is a rule or device for this. Think of the first letter in each word - a in affect and e in effect. now think of a as in alter and e as in execute. Affect alters - effect executes.

[paix]

The effect of hard drugs will affect your health.

[bannie]

affect/effect

EFFECT is a noun. ("It has an effect on me.")

AFFECT is a verb. ("This affect us all adversely.")

[jejones]

"Affect" is a verb (outside of a relatively obscure psychology usage); "effect" is a noun (OK...it can be used as a verb, e.g. "to effect a drastic change"). For example: Kryptonite doesn't affect Earthlings; it has no effect on them.

[NCLaw441]

Here is my stab and affect/effect. Generally, affect is used as a verb, and effect is a noun. The only frequent use of effect as a verb is in the expression "to effect a change" or the like.

[Exit148]

Thanks for your #17! That's my problem -- even when I look it up, get it all straightened out,---- the next time I want to use it ---AAGGHHHHHH!