May Be vs Maybe | Examples, Difference & Meaning

Published on September 10, 2024 by Tom Challenger, BA Revised on November 5, 2025

Maybe (one word) and may be (two words) are not interchangeable, but they are easily confused because they both express possibility or uncertainty.

  • Maybe is an adverb meaning “perhaps.” If you substitute “maybe” with “perhaps,” your sentence will still make sense.
  • May be is the modal verb “may” followed by the main or auxiliary verb “be.” If you substitute “may be” with “might be,” your sentence will still make sense.
May be vs maybe examples
May be in a sentence Maybe in a sentence
I may be late this evening. There’s a lot of traffic, so maybe I’ll be late.
She may be coming later. Maybe she’ll come later.
Yes, I think you may be correct! Yes, I think maybe you’re correct!

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In vs On vs At | Difference, Examples & Mistakes

Published on September 9, 2024 by Tom Challenger, BA Revised on November 5, 2025

The prepositions in, on, and at are easily confused because all three can refer to aspects of “place” (e.g., location and position) and “time” (e.g., time of day and date). The correct choice often depends on the specific context.

In vs on vs at examples
In, on, or at in a sentence Context
What are you doing on Saturday? Time – day of the week/date
The project has to be finished in three days. Time – how long something takes
We’re meeting at 3 p.m. Time – specific time of day
Everything on the menu sounds delicious. Place – page/poster/flier/menu
I wrote about that in my essay. Place – book/letter/document/essay
What number do you live at? Place – street address

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Therefor or Therefore | Spelling, Difference & Definition

Published on September 9, 2024 by Tom Challenger, BA Revised on November 5, 2025

Therefore and therefor (spelled without an “e”) are two different words.

  • Therefore is a commonly used adverb meaning “consequently.”
  • The word therefor is rarely used in modern English, except in legal contexts. It means “for that,” or “in exchange for that.”
Therefore vs therefor examples
Therefore in a sentence Therefor in a sentence
She spent a few years in France and therefore speaks good French. The Investigator shall assess the damages and determine the persons liable therefor.
Therefore, the decision was made to postpone the event. The Landlord shall provide the keys and reserves the right to charge a security deposit therefor.

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Weary vs Wary | Meaning, Difference & Pronunciation

Published on September 5, 2024 by Tom Challenger, BA Revised on November 5, 2025

The adjectives weary and wary have different meanings and pronunciations.

  • Weary means “tired,” and its first syllable rhymes with “here” ( ). If you are “weary of” something, you are “tired” or “bored of it.”
  • Wary means “careful” or “cautious,” and it rhymes with “hairy” ( ) If you are “wary of” something, you do not trust it (yet).
Weary vs wary examples
Weary in a sentence Wary in a sentence
He was feeling weary after a long day’s hiking. My daughter was a bit wary of the dog at first.
The city offers a wide range of accommodation for weary travelers. He accepted the stranger’s help with a wary look in his eyes.
I’m growing a bit weary of the food in the cafeteria. People are increasingly wary about the dangers of social media.

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Wont vs Won’t | Difference, Definitions & Use

Published on September 2, 2024 by Tom Challenger, BA Revised on November 5, 2025

Won’t and wont are commonly confused words that don’t mean the same thing.

  • Won’t is the contraction (short form) of “will not”—you can’t leave out the apostrophe.
  • Wont is an adjective meaning “in the habit of” or “accustomed,” or a noun meaning “habit” or “custom.”
Won’t vs wont examples
Won’t in a sentence Wont in a sentence
I won’t be at the meeting next week. He was not known for his modesty and was wont to exaggerate his achievements.
Don’t drink all the milk or there won’t be any left for breakfast. She’s going to be late, as is her wont.

A QuillBot Grammar Check can help ensure you’re using won’t and wont correctly.

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Unphased or Unfazed | Meaning & Correct Spelling

Published on August 29, 2024 by Tom Challenger, BA Revised on November 5, 2025

Unfazed and unphased are commonly confused words.

  • The adjective unfazed means “not worried, disturbed or surprised.”
  • Unphased is a rarely used adjective meaning “not carried out in stages.” It isn’t listed in most dictionaries.
Unfazed vs unphased examples
Unfazed in a sentence Unphased in a sentence
She appeared unfazed by the journalists’ aggressive questioning and responded calmly. The committee preferred the unphased option and will introduce all reforms at the start of next year.
The people I spoke to were unfazed by the storm warnings and were carrying on as usual. The sudden, unphased withdrawal of military forces from the region has been criticized by neighboring countries.
Note
“Unphased” is an alternative, non-standard spelling of “unfazed.”

However, it’s best to avoid this spelling as it contravenes most style guides and is usually considered a misspelling in American and British English.

A QuillBot Grammar Check can help ensure you’re using unphased and unfazed correctly.

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Scarves or Scarfs | Correct Spelling & Use

Published on August 13, 2024 by Tom Challenger, BA Revised on November 5, 2025

You can spell the plural of “scarf” in two ways when referring to an item of clothing, scarves or scarfs.

  • Scarves is the most common way of spelling the plural of the noun “scarf.”
  • The standard pronunciation of the plural of “scarf” is with a “v” sound, not an “f” sound.

“Scarf” also has a number of technical meanings (e.g., a part of a wooden joint). When used in a technical sense, the standard spelling of the plural form is scarfs.

Scarves/scarfs in a sentence examples
I’ve lost three scarves/scarfs this winter already.

Glue the scarfs together, clamp, and leave to dry overnight.

A QuillBot Grammar Check can help ensure you’re using scarves and scarfs correctly.

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Discreet vs Discrete | Meaning, Difference & Examples

Published on August 8, 2024 by Tom Challenger, BA Revised on November 5, 2025

The adjectives discrete and discreet have different meanings but are pronounced in the same way (i.e., they are homophones).

  • If something is discrete, it is “separate” or “clearly different from something else.” “Discrete” is typically used in technical/scientific contexts.
  • If someone is being discreet, they are being “tactful,” “diplomatic,” or “careful.” Something that is “discreet” is “unobtrusive,” or “modest.”
Discrete or discreet examples
Discrete in a sentence Discreet in a sentence
The plan was divided into discrete tasks. He said it in front of everybody, which wasn’t very discreet.
They are not discrete units but part of a complex system. Her discreet handling of the situation ensured that everyone could save face.
Discrete data can only have certain values rather than a continuous range. Modern hearing aids are very small and discreet.

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Born vs Borne | Difference, Correct Use & Examples

Published on August 8, 2024 by Tom Challenger, BA Revised on November 5, 2025

The words borne and born are, technically speaking, both past participles of the verb “bear” and are pronounced in the same way (i.e., they are homophones).

  • Use born in the phrase “to be born” when it refers to “a child coming into the world” or “something coming into existence.”
  • Borne is the past participle for all other meanings of the verb bear, such as “carry,” “support,” or “accept.”
Born and borne in sentences examples
Born to mean coming into existence (e.g., a child) Borne for all other uses of bear
She was born in 1985. I stopped him from climbing on the roof because it wouldn’t have borne his weight.
When’s the baby going to be born? The company has borne all the costs up to now.
A new era had been born. It’s great to see that all our efforts have borne fruit.
The project was born out of a desire to create something new. The measure is designed to prevent hospital-borne infections.
Tip
Other potential confusions to do with the verb “bear” include the difference between “bear and bare” as well as the meaning of the expressions “bear with me” and “bear in mind.”

A QuillBot Grammar Check can also help ensure you’re using words and expressions like these correctly.

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Comprised vs Composed | Difference & Correct Use

Published on August 8, 2024 by Tom Challenger, BA Revised on November 5, 2025

The verb comprise means “to be made up of.” The verb compose also means “to be made up of” when used in the passive voice with “of.” The important thing to remember is that “is/are comprised of” is considered incorrect.

Comprised vs composed examples
Comprised in a sentence Composed in a sentence Incorrect usage
  • The university comprises four colleges.
  • The university is composed of four colleges.
  • The university is comprised of four colleges.
  • Heat pumps comprise four main components.
  • Heat pumps are composed of four main components.
  • Heat pumps are comprised of four main components.
Note
People commonly use “is/are comprised of” in everyday speech and writing, but it is best to avoid it in formal contexts such as academic writing or job interviews as it is generally considered a mistake.

The QuillBot Paraphraser can help you rewrite sentences to express yourself clearly.

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