Effect vs. Affect

[stoory]

Okay so when should you use "effect" and when should you use "affect"?

[shaneystar2]

Affect and effect have no senses in common. As a verb affect is most commonly used in the sense of �to influence� (how smoking affects health). Effect means �to bring about or execute�:
Thus the sentence... "These measures may affect savings "could imply that the measures may reduce savings that have already been realized, whereas "These measures may effect savings" implies that the measures will cause new savings to come about.

[stevie21]

Affect is less commonly used to refer to mood, strangely enough..
"disorders of affect" can affect women more than men ;-)

I'd say "affect" is to have an influence or impact upon and is a verb : something you do.

"Effect" is an outcome or result of something (and often a noun). Even in saying "What effect will this drug have" you're referring to what outcome/end product.
To "effect" change, to bring about or result in change would be to use it as a verb but this isn't as common

[robbo82]

For the most part, 'affect' is used as a verb and 'effect' as a noun, eg 'he didn't let it affect him' vs 'it had no effect on him'.

[GMH]

It's almost the same as except and accept. They are so similar.