Vender vs Vendor: Which Spelling Is Correct?

Quick answer: Both spellings refer to a person or company that sells something, but vendor is the standard and far more common spelling, especially in business, law and technology. Vender is an accepted but rarer variant. In Spanish, vender is also the verb meaning “to sell.” When in doubt, write vendor. Vender vs Vendor Quiz: … Read more

Ser vs Sir: What’s the Difference?

Quick answer: In English, the word is sir: a polite way to address a man (“Yes, sir”) and the title of a knight (“Sir Isaac Newton”). Ser is the Spanish and Portuguese verb meaning “to be,” and it is also the knightly title used in the fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire (Game … Read more

Downwind vs Upwind: What’s the Difference?

Quick answer: Upwind means toward the direction the wind is coming from, or against the wind: “We walked upwind of the fire.” Downwind means in the direction the wind is blowing, or with the wind: “The smoke drifted downwind.” Whatever the wind carries, such as smoke, smells or pollution, travels downwind. Downwind vs Upwind Quiz: … Read more

Regimen vs Regiment: What’s the Difference?

Quick answer: A regimen is a planned routine, such as a diet, exercise plan or treatment schedule: “a skincare regimen.” A regiment is a military unit, or, as a verb, to organize people in a strict, controlled way: “a cavalry regiment.” The two are not interchangeable, so “exercise regiment” is a common error for exercise … Read more

Yeah vs Yea: What’s the Difference?

Quick answer: Yeah is the casual, everyday way to say “yes”: “Yeah, I’ll be there.” Yea is a formal or old-fashioned word for “yes,” used mainly in votes, where it pairs with “nay”: “The yeas have it.” Don’t confuse either with yay, the cheer. Yeah vs Yea Quiz: Test Yourself Five quick questions on yeah … Read more

Surprise vs Suprise: Which Spelling Is Correct?

Quick answer: Surprise is the only correct spelling. Suprise is a common misspelling that leaves out the first “r.” Remember that both halves of the word have an “r”: sur–prise. The same goes for surprised, surprising and surprisingly. Surprise vs Suprise Quiz: Test Yourself Five quick questions on surprise vs suprise. Pick an answer to … Read more

Incidences vs Incidents: What’s the Difference?

Quick answer: Use incidents for individual events: “Two incidents were reported.” Use incidence (usually singular) for how often something occurs: “the incidence of flu.” Incidences is a valid but rare plural, used when comparing separate rates. In most cases where people write “incidences,” they actually mean incidents. Incidences vs Incidents Quiz: Test Yourself Five quick … Read more

Racket vs Racquet: Which Spelling Is Correct?

Quick answer: Racket and racquet are both accepted spellings of the strung-frame tool used in tennis, badminton and squash. “Racket” is the more common spelling, and “racquet” is an accepted variant. Only racket also means a loud noise or a dishonest scheme. The sport racquetball keeps the “q.” Racket vs Racquet Quiz: Test Yourself Five … Read more