affect vs. effect

[low_delta]

I know the difference between the words "affect" and "effect," but I have trouble explaining it. "Affect" is a verb, and "effect" is a noun (most commonly). That explains it pretty well, actually, but people still have trouble remembering. Does anyone have any mnemonic or any kind of trick they use to remember?

Comments

[rdsc.livejournal.com]

Inside and outside - might not work all the time, but that's how I work it out. There and their is what does me in.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Inside and outside?

[rdsc.livejournal.com]

Affect for me, is something you experience inside first - it could be the sudden change of your emotional state or a memory arriving out of knowhere, but you become aware of the fact of it before you become aware of the cause.

Effect is something that hits you from outside - you see it coming and know that it is going to change you.