Affect or effect?

Affect /əˈfekt/ is a verb meaning ‘influence or cause someone or something to change’:

• The cold weather has really affected her health.
• New technologies continue to affect how we live.

Effect /ɪˈfekt/ is a noun that means ‘the result of an influence’:

• The pollution in the city had a bad effect on me.
• Most people these days understand the serious effects of smoking.