Non smokers can be seriously affected by secondhand smoke.

(A. is a little ambivalent because either answer could still be grammatically correct, but I’m pretty sure that’s the one they’re looking for.)

To affect is to change or alter or influence something or someone.

To effect is to do or carry out or create something (not someone).

(Just to add – effect and affect are words that can both be used as nouns and verbs…)

The operation did (affect) an improvement in the athlete’s health. AFFECT, because the operation INFLUENCED the outcome of the althletes health.

Recent studies have shown non-smokers can be seriously (effected) by secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke EFFECTS non-smokers because they do not smoke, but the smoke from others has EFFECTED their health.

I hope this clarifies it for you! Just remember, AFFECT means “to influence” and is usually used as a verb, EFFECT is like a consenquence, usually used as a noun.

I hope this helps!!!

Affect is usually used as a verb. Affect is very rarely used as a noun. Defined as to “act upon or to change or cause to change.”

Then there is affected which is an adjective. Defined as “influenced by outside forces.”

I hope this helps with your assignment.

B = Affect – because it produces a result

The UV index of the sunlight will AFFECT how long it takes to burn your skin.

Think about these sentences and the explanation will be plain.

sentence a – effect is correct

sentence b – affected is correct.

But don’t be lazy – learn from this…

http://www.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules/affect-effect-grammar.html

B.affected [im not sure of a great answer, like its in my head but i cant put it into words! =P]

effect: result, consequence

affect: to act on