To suggest that people use this time to learn the difference between..

[LidlDonkey]

Your and you're
Their, they're and there

And when to use an apostrophe.

[wasIlikethis30yearsago]

.

[TheHumansAreDefinitelyDead]

How do you feel about people starting a sentence with “and”?

[McMaman]

I'm not sure that's an affective use of my time, or is it effective?

[Hazelnutlatteplease]

Or using a capital letter when they havent used a full stop

[FoldenHoard]

I like full stops.

[Zaphodsotherhead]

May I put in a word for 'discrete' and 'discreet'?

[NotNegan]

Can someone explain to me when to use effect and when to use affect?

I've got their, there and they're down.

[vodkaredbullgirl]

oh god not again lol.

[TheFaerieQueene]

Not your best work OP.

[Gingertam]

Ha ha. You'll get flamed but totally agree. Could I add that it should be I could HAVE done something not could OF. Makes me shudder whenever I read that.

[NorthernBirdAtHeart]

[ZaZathecat]

NotNegan, effect is a noun so you can talk about 'the effect' of something. Affect is a verb, as in 'she was affected by the news'.

[Oysterbabe]

How about you use this time to fuck off to pedants corner.

[WarmSausageTea]

Can someone explain to me when to use effect and when to use affect?

@NotNegan I find it helps to think about ‘cause and effect’ - the effect of the wind was that the fence was damaged, for example.

Affect is, I would say, is more about impact - people are affected by the current lock-down. The effects of the lock-down on a person might include sadness, for example, but those people are affected by it. The economy will be affected by the virus.

OP, your post is unkind. I suggest you use this time to be kinder and more helpful.

[ZaZathecat]

(But less commonly, effect can be a verb, as in 'to effect a change'.)

[EmeraldShamrock]

Oh dear this again. I suggest you use this time to reflect on why some adult's struggle with SPAG.
When you've completed the task, piss off to pedants corner.

[LemonScentedStickyBat]

Diffuse and defuse!

[cardibach]

Even less commonly, affect can be a noun in psychiatry - the emotional time a person presents.
In short, it’s no wonder people get confused with this one.

[DappledThings]

Yes this is what people should of been doing.

[Pinkblueberry]

I know the difference and notice it when others do it - but when I’m typing fast I get it wrong all the time

[cardibach]

Emotional tone*

[NotACleverName]

🙄

[OlaEliza]

Discusting, op.

[P1nkHeartLovesCake]

And maybe some should use this time to learn how not to be a dick