Dram vs Shot: What’s the Difference?

Quick answer: A dram is a small drink of whisky, especially in Scotland, and it has no fixed size. A shot is a single serving of spirits, often about 1.5 US fluid ounces (44 ml), though the amount varies by country and venue. “Dram” is also an old unit of measure, and it is the … Read more

Holly vs Holly: What’s the Difference?

Quick answer: Lowercase holly is an evergreen plant with spiky leaves and red berries, often used in Christmas decorations. Capitalized Holly is a given name, and the name comes from the plant. Holly is also easy to confuse with the sound-alikes holy (sacred), wholly (completely) and holey (full of holes). Quick Quiz: Holly vs Holly … Read more

Wisk vs Whisk: What’s the Difference?

Quick answer: “Whisk” is the correct spelling for the kitchen tool and for the verb meaning to beat or stir quickly. “Wisk” is not a standard English word. When capitalized, Wisk is a brand name, most famously a laundry detergent. If you are cooking, write whisk. Quick Quiz: Wisk vs Whisk Whisk (noun) A kitchen … Read more

Production Company vs Studio: What’s the Difference?

Quick answer: A production company develops and makes a film, show or video. A studio is usually a larger business that finances, makes, markets and distributes projects, and the word can also mean the physical space where filming or recording happens. Many production companies work with studios rather than replacing them. Quick Quiz: Production Company … Read more

Setting vs Sitting: What’s the Difference?

Quick answer: Setting means putting something somewhere, and it is also the noun for a place, scene or control option. Sitting means resting your body on a seat. If you can swap in “placing,” use setting. If you mean “seated,” use sitting. Quick Quiz: Setting vs Sitting Setting (verb) Placing or arranging something. It needs … Read more

Unit vs Apt: What’s the Difference?

Quick answer Apt is the abbreviation for apartment, while unit is a broader word for any individual home or space inside a building. Both are standard address designators, so write whichever one the building itself uses: “APT 12” if the door says Apt 12, “UNIT 12” if it says Unit 12. Unit vs Apt Quiz: … Read more

Myriad vs Myriad of: Which Is Correct?

Quick answer Both are correct. Use myriad as an adjective with no “of” (“myriad options”), or as a noun with “a” and “of” (“a myriad of options”). The noun use is actually older, and usage experts treat the choice as a matter of style, not correctness. Myriad vs Myriad of Quiz: Test Yourself in 60 … Read more

Try vs Tries: What’s the Difference?

Quick answer Use try with I, you, we and they (“they try again”), and tries with he, she, it or any single subject (“she tries again”). Tries is also the plural of the noun try, as in “three tries.” The spelling trys is not standard English. Try vs Tries Quiz: Test Yourself in 60 Seconds … Read more