Published on
June 28, 2024
by
Julia Merkus, MA
Revised on
May 1, 2025
Labelled and labeled both are correct spellings of the past tense of the verb “label,” which means “attach a label to something” or “categorize something or someone.” The spelling depends on the type of English you use:
In British English, “labelled” with a double “l” is standard.
In American English, “labeled” with one “l” is correct.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Examples: Labelled or labeled in a sentenceSusie has accidentally labelled/labeled all the jeans incorrectly.
I was labelled/labeled a rebel as a teenager.
Leron labelled/labeled every book on the shelf in one afternoon.
Published on
June 28, 2024
by
Julia Merkus, MA
Revised on
May 1, 2025
Learnt and learned are two ways of spelling the past tense of the verb “learn,” which means “to gain skill or knowledge.”
In British English, “learnt” is standard.
In American English, “learned” is standard.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Examples: Learnt or learned in a sentenceLorenzo learnt/learned to cook delicious Italian dishes by following his grandfather’s recipes.
The students learnt/learned about the history of the USA in their classes.
Mason learnt/learned to speak three languages during high school.
Published on
June 28, 2024
by
Julia Merkus, MA
Revised on
May 1, 2025
Spelt and spelled are two ways of spelling the past tense of the verb “spell,” which means “forming words with the letters in the correct order.” The spelling depends on the type of English you use.
In British English, “spelled” and “spelt” are both used, but “spelt” is a bit more common.
In American English, “spelled” is standard.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Examples: Spelt or spelled in a sentenceEoghan carefully spelt/spelled his name to avoid any mistakes.
Abdullah spelt/spelled “synecdoche” with ease during the spelling bee competition.
Kimberley accidentally spelt/spelled the author’s name wrong in her essay.
Published on
June 28, 2024
by
Julia Merkus, MA
Revised on
November 5, 2025
“Use to” and “used to” are related phrases that share a meaning. However, they are not used in the same way.
Use to is a verb that indicates a past action, state, or habit. It is always preceded by “did,” “didn’t,” or “did not.”
Used to is also a verb that indicates a past action, state, or habit, but it is not used with “did,” “didn’t,” or “did not.” It is also used as an adjective to mean “accustomed to.”
These phrases are often confused because the final “d” in “used” and the “t” in “to” seem to blend together in pronunciation, causing them to sound like homonyms. However, it’s important to use them correctly, especially in academic writing or professional communication.
Examples: Used to in a sentence
Examples: Use to in a sentence
Terrance has three dogs, so he’s used to training them.
Didn’t you use to play the piano?
I used to babysit during college.
She didn’t use to eat vegetables, but now she loves them.
Published on
June 28, 2024
by
Julia Merkus, MA
Revised on
November 5, 2025
“Alright” and “all right” are two spellings of the same word, which means “okay” or “good enough,” depending on the context. It can be used as an adjective, adverb, or interjection.
“All right” (two words) is generally preferred in formal writing, while “alright” (one word) is acceptable in informal contexts. However, “all right” is considered the more standard and formal spelling, especially in academic or professional writing.
Examples: Alright or all right in a sentenceThe food in the restaurant was all right. Alright, alright, I’ll tell you everything!
I hope she’s feeling all right after getting injured during the hike.
Allright (with double “l” and no space”) is a common misspelling of the word and is never considered correct.
Published on
June 28, 2024
by
Julia Merkus, MA
Revised on
November 4, 2025
Theirs is a third-person plural possessive pronoun. It’s also used as a gender-neutral singular possessive pronoun. It’s sometimes written as “their’s”—with an apostrophe—but this spelling is incorrect.
Possession is typically indicated by adding ’s to a word, but possessive pronouns are an exception to this rule. This means that “their’s” is always incorrect. This is also true for other possessive pronouns, such as ours and theirs. The QuillBot Grammar Checker will fix this and other common mistakes automatically.
Examples: Theirs and their’s in a sentence
I don’t know if you can borrow this iPad. It’s their’s, not mine.
I don’t know if you can borrow this iPad. It’s theirs, not mine.
Published on
June 28, 2024
by
Julia Merkus, MA
Revised on
May 1, 2025
Humor and humour are two ways of spelling the noun meaning “the characteristic of being amusing” or “mood.” The word can also be used as a verb to mean “indulge.” The spelling depends on the type of English you use.
In American English, “humor” is correct.
In British English, “humour” is standard.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Examples: Humor or humour in a sentenceHis humor/humour always lightens the mood at work meetings.
After a good night’s sleep, her humor/humour improved drastically.
The principal decided to humor/humour the student’s imaginative story even though it was quite far-fetched.
Published on
June 28, 2024
by
Julia Merkus, MA
Revised on
May 1, 2025
Honor and honour are two ways of spelling the same noun, which means “great respect” or “privilege.” It can also be used as a verb to mean “keep an agreement” or “regard with great respect.” The spelling depends on the type of English you use.
In American English, “honor” is correct.
In British English, “honour” is standard.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Examples: Honor or honour in a sentenceIn academic settings, plagiarism is viewed as a breach of honor/honourbecause it involves academic dishonesty.
Meghan decided to honor/honourher grandfather’s legacy by continuing his philanthropic work.
The organization plans to honor/honourits employees with a special recognition ceremony.
Published on
June 27, 2024
by
Julia Merkus, MA
Revised on
November 4, 2025
Whoa is an interjection used to express shock or surprise. It was traditionally used to command a horse or person to stop or slow down. Like other interjections, whoa should be avoided in professional communication and academic writing.
The use of the variant spelling woah is more common in UK English than US English, but in both cases, it’s not considered standard. Many dictionaries and other language authorities do not accept this spelling at all.
