What's the proper usage of effect and affect?

Even after getting the answer to this myself, I would always ask!! Put it in a sentence:

This will affect our society… (feelings) The effects of… (result) Thats how I remember!!!

Excuse me, but why do you bother answering these when others already have. What you have to say is nothing different from what he or she said.

“itbeyomomma”- if you read my post, you’ll notice I also added how I personally distinguish between the two. I think you’ll find that your post was rather more needless than mine.

Throws some pink fluffy bunnies to you

affect is always a verb; it means “to influence”.

effect can be a noun or a verb. As a noun it means “a result”; as a verb it means “to bring about.” (thus the terms “effective” and “efficacious”)

They’re often confused as their sounds are so similar, msmaliah, whether you’re on the east coast or over there enjoying your California weather.

(Okay I deserve all the flames for that.)

I agree with xiigzag. (Of course with the English language I’m sure there are exceptions.)

aarthur001 has explained it pretty well. I’ve never known how to explain it, and I found that really helpful. The way I remember which to use is I think of the term “the greenhouse effect” is an overall result, and the ‘e’s in greenhouse mean I use the word effect if I’m talking about an overall result. It may sound a bit odd to others, but it makes sense to me.

I don’t think it’s a matter of some people being incapable of understanding the difference, more they just don’t want to learn the difference.

affect = verb effect = noun

If people don’t get it, they never will. I’m just happy as long as they get the whole your/you’re thing.