Effect / affect

In your writing, effect will usually be a noun and affect a verb. For example:

The effect of our delay was to put the project behind schedule.

Our delay affected the project’s schedule.

The main exception is in phrases such as “effecting change”. This uses the verb “to effect”, which means to put into practice, to execute or to make happen. Very occasionally you may find the “affect” used as a noun, meaning emotion or sentiment.