![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/free-reign-vs-free-rein.jpg?resize=568%2C568)
Free Reign vs. Free Rein: Which Should You Use?
Does this expression imply that someone with the freedom to do whatever they want is a ruler or a horse...
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Passed vs Past: What’s the Difference?
Leave this common word mix-up in your past!
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All of a Sudden vs. All of the Sudden: Which Is Correct?
You've been using the phrase "all of a sudden" with confidence. Now "all of the sudden," it's not so clear...
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Farther vs. Further: What’s the Difference?
How far would you go to figure out the difference between further and farther? Look no further—we've got your answer.
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33 Middle School Vocabulary Words Adults Still Get Wrong
Think you have a strong vocabulary? See how many of these common 8th grade reading words you can recognize when...
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This Is Exactly How Many Words You Need to Know to Speak a Language
In the grand scheme of things, it’s not that many.
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Systemic-vs-Systematic.jpg?resize=568%2C568)
Systemic vs. Systematic: What’s the Difference?
Here's the difference between these two words that are often used interchangeably even though they have different meanings.
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12 Grammatical Errors Even Smart People Make
You may think you’re a stickler for all things grammar-related, but don’t be surprised if you realize you’re guilty of...
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How to Improve Your Vocabulary and Sound Instantly Smarter
The average American has a vocabulary in the thousands. Try these tricks to make sure yours stacks up.
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Can You Pass This High School English Quiz?
We've been saving up these words, from the Princeton Review's Word Smart: Genius Edition test-prep guide, for our most confident...
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What Does .com Stand for?
This sequence of four characters probably appears at the top of your computer screen several times a day. But do...
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This Is the Real Difference Between “Due to” and “Because Of”
If you think you can use "because of" and "due to" interchangeably, watch out: The grammar nerds are coming for...
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The Most Misspelled Word in Every State
If you can spell this one word, you’re probably smarter than a majority of the people who live in your...
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Affect vs. Effect: What’s the Difference?
That one little letter makes a big difference.
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15 Amusing Stories Behind Common Expressions
English has some hilarious expressions—and their origin stories are funny, too! Find out where "last-ditch effort," "under the weather," and...
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ok-vs-okay-scaled.jpg?resize=568%2C568)
OK vs. Okay—Which Is Correct?
You might be surprised to learn which came first!
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Lets vs. Let’s: The Right Way to Use Each Word
For an itty-bitty punctuation mark, apostrophes cause a lot of confusion. What's the difference between lets vs. let's?
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Do You Know the Last Letter Added to the Alphabet? (It Wasn’t Z)
In fact, the actual last letter is not even close to the end of the alphabet.
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40 Words You Think Are Antonyms but Aren’t
At first glance, some words may seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum, but once you dive deeper...
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/blond-vs-blonde.jpg?resize=568%2C568)
Blond vs. Blonde: Which is Correct?
Is your best friend's hair blonde or blond? Is that blond man just your type, or perhaps his blonde sister?...
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Barbeque or Barbecue: Which Is Correct?
Being *grilled* over the way you spell this word? Find out whether barbeque or barbecue is correct.
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15 Words That People Say Aren’t Real—but Are
Good news: These are all words! Bad news: Language snobs will scoff if you use them—so you’ll have to politely...
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How Many of These 13 Old-School Slang Words Do You Know?
Can you guess the meaning behind these slang phrases from yesteryear?
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Grey vs. Gray: Which Is Correct?
Is one of these spellings correct and the other wrong—or is there a gray area? (Or perhaps a grey one?)
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There’s Only One U.S. State Whose Name Starts with Two Vowels. Can You Guess It?
See how quickly you can figure it out!
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“Toward” or “Towards”: Which Is Correct?
Does that one little "S" change the meaning? Or do these words in fact mean the same thing?
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70 Words (and Phrases) You’re Probably Using All Wrong
You won't make these cringeworthy mistakes ever again.
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15 Slang Words You Didn’t Know Were in the Dictionary
English is an ever-evolving language, so as words make their way into the mainstream, they also make it into the...
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13 Words from the First Dictionary That No Longer Exist
Don't let these obscure words fade away!