Tip of the Week: Affect vs. Effect

In most cases, “affect” and “effect” have the following meanings:

“Affect” is a verb that means, “to influence something.”
Example: Your attitude affects my mood. (Your attitude influences my mood.)

“Effect” is a noun, referring to the result that something caused.
Example: Your attitude had a positive effect. (Your attitude had a positive result.)

Exceptions to the rule:
“Affect” can be used as verb meaning “attempt to convey something untrue or misleading”
Example: The American affected an English accent. (The American attempted to convey an English accent.)

“Effect” can be used as a verb that means, “to bring about.”
Example: The large company effected a hostile takeover of the start-up company. (The large company brought about the hostile takeover of the start-up company.)

The bottom line:
If you are looking for a noun, choose “effect.” If you are looking for a verb that means, “to influence,” choose “affect.”