Affect vs Effect... When do you use them?

Kewop Decam

I once had someone explain to me like 7 year ago in highschool, but I didn't quite understand then. When do you use "affect" and "effect" in speaking and writing?

Drakmathus

effect is a noun.

I kicked you in the balls, the effect of this action was you crumpling to the ground.

affect is a verb.

I affect the election results by hacking diebold machines.

Thanatos

Ahhh... a spelling/grammar thread.

Drakmathus has the basics. However, "affect" can be used as a noun when referring to someone's emotional state. "Sociopaths have a highly limited affect."

"Effect" can be used as a transitive verb when you're talking about causing change. "Alphamonkey successfully effected the upgrade from php to vBulletin."

Janin

Affect can also be used as a verb "to make a false display of": The man affected a smile.

From Wiktionary:

* Do not confuse affect with effect. The former is used to convey the influence over existing ideas, emotions and entities; the latter indicates the manifestation of new or original ideas or entities. For example, "...new governing coalitions during these realigning periods have EFFECTED major changes in governmental institutions" indicates that major changes were made as a result of new governing coalitions, while "...new governing coalitions during these realigning periods have AFFECTED major changes in governmental institutions" indicates that before new governing coalitions, major changes were in place, and that the new governing coalitions had some influence over these existing changes.

The Green Eyed Monster

Thanatos wrote: »

"Effect" can be used as a transitive verb when you're talking about causing change. "Alphamonkey successfully effected the upgrade from php to vBulletin."

I see the wiki there, but can you offer further support or explanation for this?

HiredGun

celery: basically, "effect" can be used as a verb which roughly means "to put into effect" or "to cause".

–verb (used with object)
10. to produce as an effect; bring about; accomplish; make happen: The new machines finally effected the transition to computerized accounting last spring.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/effect

blanknogo

I really want to recommend to you and everyone who sometimes runs into these kinds of Grammar problems to check out this website:

http://qdnow.com/

In particular the Grammar Girl podcast (you can find it on iTunes too). There is an episode that answers this question and a number of other really good grammar related questions too.