Smelled and smelt can both be correct, but they are not always used the same way. Smelled is the standard past tense of smell in American English and is accepted everywhere. Smelt is more common in British English, but it can also mean melting metal from ore, which makes it easier to confuse. Quick Answer…
Medicare and Medicaid are both U.S. health coverage programs, but they are not the same. Medicare is mainly for people age 65 or older and certain younger people with disabilities. Medicaid is mainly for people with limited income and resources. Some people can qualify for both. Quick Answer Use Medicare when talking about federal health…
Tear and tare can sound the same, but they mean different things. Tear usually means to rip something, or it can mean a drop of liquid from the eye. Tare is a more specific word used for the weight of packaging or for setting a scale back to zero. Quick Answer Use tear when you…
Zeros and zeroes are both correct plural forms of zero, but zeros is the more common and usually preferred spelling. Use zeros when talking about numbers, scores, measurements, math, data, or ordinary plural use. Zeroes is also acceptable, but it is less common and can look more old-fashioned or formal. Quick Answer Use zeros as…
Lie and lay are easy to confuse because their forms overlap. The simple rule is this: lie means to recline or rest in a flat position, while lay means to put or place something down. If there is no object, use lie. If someone is placing an object somewhere, use lay. Quick Answer Use lie…
Smoky and smokey are often confused because they look similar and sound the same. The standard spelling is smoky when you mean filled with smoke, tasting like smoke, smelling like smoke, or having a hazy appearance. Smokey is usually used as a name, nickname, brand spelling, or informal variant. Quick Answer Use smoky as the…
Peek and peak sound the same, but they mean different things. Peek means to look quickly or secretly. Peak means the highest point of something. Quick Answer Use peek when you mean a quick look. She took a peek inside the box. Do not peek at the answers. He peeked through the window. Use peak…
Learned and learnt are both correct, but they are used differently depending on the type of English you are writing. Learned is standard in American English. Learnt is more common in British English, though learned is also accepted there. Quick Answer Use learned in American English. You learned a new skill. She learned the answer…
Defense and defence are both correct spellings. The difference depends on the type of English you are using. Defense is the standard spelling in American English. Defence is the standard spelling in British English. Quick Answer Use defense in American English. The team played strong defense. She hired a defense attorney. The country increased its…
Breathe and breath are both correct words, but they are used differently. Breathe is a verb that means to take air into the lungs and let it out again. Breath is a noun that means the air you inhale or exhale. The easiest rule is simple: you breathe, but you take a breath. Quick Answer…