Published on
19 August 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
6 February 2023.
Realise and realize are two different spellings of the verb meaning ‘become aware’ or ‘make real’. The spelling varies based on whether you’re writing UK or US English.
In UK English, ‘realise’ (with an ‘s’) is more common.
In US English, ‘realize’ (with a ‘z’) is the only correct spelling.
Examples: “Realise” and “realize” in a sentenceJake didn’t realise/realizethat he had left his wallet at home.
Clara wanted Paul to realise/realizehe was mistaken.
Sierra hopes to realise/realizeher dream of writing a novel.
The more goals you realise/realize, the more confident you’ll be.
NoteWhile ‘realise’ is more commonly used in UK English, note that Oxford style recommends ‘realize’. ‘Realize’ is always used in US English.
Published on
11 August 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
28 November 2022.
Gray and grey are two different spellings of the same word, used to refer to the color between white and black. It can be used as a noun to refer to the color, an adjective to describe something as being that color, and as a verb to refer to the act of becoming that color.
Examples: ‘Gray’ and ‘grey’ in a sentenceThe couch comes in two colors: beige and gray/grey.
It was supposed to be sunny today, but the sky is gray/grey.
Cooper’s beard is black with patches of gray/grey.
In the last few months, Peter’s hair has grayed/greyed.
NoteWhile the normal meanings of gray/grey vary in spelling depending on the version of English, some special meanings are only spelled one way. For example, the tea ‘Earl Grey’, the measure of energy called the ‘gray’, and the ‘greyhound’ dog breed (or the bus service named after it) never vary in spelling.
Published on
11 August 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
6 February 2023.
Travelling and traveling are two different spellings of the present participle of the verb ‘travel’ (and the identical gerund) meaning ‘move from one place to another’ (typically over a long distance). The spelling tends to vary based on whether you’re writing UK or US English:
In UK English, ‘travelling’ (double ‘l’) is standard.
In US English, ‘traveling’ (one ‘l’) is correct.
Examples: ‘Travelling’ and ‘traveling’ in a sentenceAva doesn’t like travelling/traveling by boat because she gets seasick.
If you’re travelling/travelingthrough Central Europe, you should visit Berlin.
Karen likes travelling/travelingby train because she enjoys watching the landscape go by.
I’m saving up for a trip because travelling/travelingcan be expensive.
Published on
11 August 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
25 September 2023.
Learnt and learned are two different spellings of the past tense of the verb ‘learn’, which means ‘gain knowledge or skill’ or ‘come to be able to do something’. The spelling tends to vary based on the version of English:
In UK English, ‘learnt’ is standard.
In US English, ‘learned’ is more common.
Examples: ‘Learnt’ and ‘learned’ in a sentenceKayla recently learnt/learned how to drive a car.
In school, I learnt/learned how to speak French.
Jamie hasn’t learnt/learned how to dance yet.
The students learnt/learned about the Great Depression.
NoteIn UK English, ‘learn’ is an irregular verb, meaning that the past tense is not formed by adding the standard ‘-ed’ suffix. In US English, ‘learn’ is a regular verb (i.e., the past tense is formed by adding ‘-ed’).
Published on
10 August 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
15 February 2023.
Used to and use to are related phrases that can have the same meaning but are used differently.
Used to is a verb that indicates a past habit, action, or state. It can also be used as an adjective meaning ‘accustomed to’.
Use to also indicates a past habit, action, or state, but it’s only used in combination with ‘did’, ‘did not’, or ‘didn’t’.
Examples: ‘Used to’ in a sentence
Examples: ‘Use to’ in a sentence
Sophie lives near the train tracks, so she’s used toa lot of noise.
Did you use to be a musician?
There used to be a library in the city, but it closed down.
Zack didn’t use to care about politics.
NoteThe confusion regarding used to and use to is partly due to the blended ‘d’ sound at the end of ‘used’ and the ‘t’ sound at the beginning of ‘to’, which means the two spellings are pronounced similarly. However, in formal and academic writing, it’s important to note the difference.
Published on
10 August 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
23 August 2023.
Flier and flyer are nouns that can be used to refer to a person or thing that flies, or more specifically to a leaflet. While the words are often used interchangeably, there is a general trend:
Flier is commonly used to refer to someone or something that flies. It is also used in the expression ‘take a flier’.
Flyer is the more common spelling for an advertising leaflet.
Examples: ‘Flier’ in a sentence
Examples: ‘Flyer’ in a sentence
Jane has frequent flier miles because she travels a lot for work.
Luis found out about the fundraiser from a flyer someone gave him.
Some birds, like the grey-headed albatross, are very strong fliers.
Instead of handing out flyers, we created a post online and asked people to share it.
NoteThis article describes the general trend in how the two spellings are used, but different style guides give contradictory advice on this issue.
If you’re not bound by a specific style guide, use ‘flyer’ to refer to a leaflet and whichever spelling you prefer for other meanings, and no one is likely to object.
Published on
10 August 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
20 October 2022.
Then and than are two commonly confused words with different meanings and grammatical roles.
Then (pronounced with a short ‘e’ sound) refers to time. It’s typically an adverb, but it’s also used as a noun meaning ‘that time’ and as an adjective referring to a previous status.
Than (pronounced with a short ‘a’ sound) is used to express comparison. Grammatically, it usually functions as a conjunction, but sometimes it’s a preposition.
Examples: ‘Then’ in a sentence
Examples: ‘Than’ in a sentence
Follow the road for another mile, and then take the exit.
Brie is a better golfer than you.
I was working in a bookstore then.
I often like planning a holiday more than I like the holiday itself.
Published on
10 August 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
25 September 2023.
Payed and paid are pronounced similarly but have different meanings.
Payed is a rare word that’s only used in nautical/maritime contexts. It can be used to refer to the act of coating parts of a boat with waterproof material or to the act of letting out a rope or chain by slackening it.
Paid is the much more common word, used as the past tense of the verb ‘pay’ in all other senses.
Examples: ‘Payed’ in a sentence
Examples: ‘Paid’ in a sentence
The sailors payed the front of the boat with tar to seal the gaps.
We paid more for the meal than we had expected.
Liam untied the knot and payed out the rope to Bill.
Sophia gets paid at the beginning of each month.
NotePeople sometimes mistakenly write payed because it seems like the more logical past tense spelling of ‘pay’, but paid is the correct choice in the vast majority of cases.
Published on
10 August 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
21 November 2022.
Defence and defense are two different spellings of the same word, a noun used to refer to the act of protecting or defending something, the legal plea of a person on trial for a crime, or a sports position intended to prevent an opponent from scoring.
The spelling tends to vary based on whether you’re writing in UK or US English:
In UK English, ‘defence’ (with a ‘c’) is standard.
In US English, ‘defense’ (with an ‘s’) is more common.
Examples: ‘Defence/defense’ in a sentenceLucas used to play offence, but now he plays defence/defense.
A healthy diet is a good defence/defense against illness.
There are members of the defence/defense force outside the embassy.
The attorney was confident they had a strong defence/defense.
NoteAnother word used in a legal context, ‘judgment/judgement‘, also has two spellings.
Published on
10 August 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
16 November 2022.
Cancelled and canceled are two different spellings of the past tense of the verb ‘cancel’, which means ‘annul’, ‘revoke,” or ‘match in force or outcome’. The spelling tends to vary based on the version of English:
In UK English, ‘cancelled’ (double ‘l’) is standard.
In US English, ‘canceled’ (one ‘l’) is more common.
Examples: ‘Cancelled’ and ‘canceled’ in a sentenceThe concert was cancelled/canceled due to a fire at the venue.
My vote cancelled/canceled out Dave’s.
Farrah cancelled/canceled the reservation at the restaurant because of a family emergency.
I cancelled/canceled the hotel booking too late and lost my deposit.
