Knowing whether to use effect or affect may not qualify you as a genius, but you will be demonstrating an understanding about a grammar issue most people find perplexing. I trust that the strategies offered here will clear up any confusion you have had.

Rule: Use the verb effect when you mean bring about or brought about, cause or caused.

Example: He effected a commotion in the crowd.

Meaning: He caused a commotion in the crowd.

Example: She effected a change in procedure.

Meaning: She brought about a change in procedure.

Rule: Use the noun effect when you mean result.

Example: What effect did that speech have?

Rule: Also use the noun effect whenever any of these words precede it: a, an, any, the, take, into, no.

Note: These words may be separated from effect by an adjective.

Examples:
That book had a long-lasting effect on my thinking.
Has the medicine produced any noticeable effects?

Rule: Use the verb affect when you mean to influence rather than to cause.

Example: How do the budget cuts affect your staffing?

Rule: Affect is also used as a noun to mean emotional expression.

Example: She showed little affect when told she had won the lottery.

Pop Quiz

Try this Effect vs. Affect Quiz and get instant scoring and explanations.

Word Play

You are stuck with your debt if you can’t budge it.

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English In A Snap: 68 One-Minute English Usage Videos
View Jane’s 68 one-minute video lessons that are available FREE. Learn all about who and whom, affect and effect, subjects and verbs, adjectives and adverbs, commas, semicolons, quotation marks, and much more by just sitting back and enjoying these easy-to-follow lessons. Tell your colleagues (and bosses), children, teachers, and friends.
Click here to view.

Valuable Link
Click here to read excerpts from Jane’s other wonderful book, Enough Is Enough! Stop Enduring and Start Living Your Extraordinary Life and listen to her podcasts. Learn more about Jane’s personal coaching work, speaking engagements, and articles that will inspire you to thrive.

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