I'd suggest in 95% of cases think of
affect as the verb
effect as the noun
eg how am I affected by cold weather?
what effect does cold weather have on me?
Sorry Mamya, my English has never been good, and I've never understood what is a noun and what is a verb, and I'm not sure I would understand if someone tried to explain it to me.
I think that Toorak has a reasonable method for remembering. Also, "affect" is a verb and not a noun. "Effect" can be a verb or a noun.
As someone who is learning French language, I think Toorak has a good tip. It depends on whether or not it chimes with you.
(I know I'm going to be told that "affect" can be a verb!)
Sorry, I know I'm coming over as being thick, but could someone just tell me which word to use in the sentence I mentioned @ 18.24 please? I am getting more and more confused with nouns and verbs.
Effect is a result. Change the word in your sentence to result and if it still means the same then it is effect. If influence is what you meant then affect is probably right. Affectations have not been taken into consideration in this answer. Because I know that the effect is liable to lots of indignation. That would have a negative affect on my mood.