SPELLING Tips
CENTRE or CENTER – which spelling is correct?
ANSWER: In Canada, both are correct.
The British spelling is centre.
The American spelling is center.
In Canada, it is acceptable to use either spelling.
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FAVOUR or FAVOR – which spelling is correct?
ANSWER: In Canada, both are correct.
The British spelling is favour.
The American spelling is favor.
In Canada, it is acceptable to use either spelling.
Learn how to use the word FAVOUR, or FAVOR common English expressions.
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GREY or GRAY –
which spelling is correct?
ANSWER: In Canada, both are correct.
The British spelling is grey.
The American spelling is gray.
In Canada, it is acceptable to use either spelling. Be consistent.
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HUMOUR or HUMOR –
which spelling is correct?
ANSWER: In Canada, both are correct.
The British spelling is humour.
The American spelling is humor.
It is acceptable in Canada to use either spelling.
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KILOMETRE or KILOMETER –
which spelling is correct?
You may have seen kilometre spelled as kilometer and wondered, “Which is the correct spelling?”
The answer to that depends on where you are!
The British spelling is kilometre.
The American spelling is kilometer.
Canada is part of the British Commonwealth of Nations, so traditionally, Canadian school children were taught to use the British spellings for English words.
However, Canada is a neighbour to the United States and that, as well as the influence of the internet, influences Canada’s language.
To answer the question,
“Which spelling is correct?”,
both kilometre and kilometer are considered correct in Canada.
Whether you are writing a long document or a short paragraph, keep your spelling consistent.
If you choose to use British spellings (such as kilometre and neighbour), use British spellings throughout your writing.
If you choose to use American spellings (such as kilometer and neighbor), use American spellings throughout your writing.
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LICENSE or LICENCE –
which spelling is correct?
ANSWER:
In Canadian and British English:
- LICENSE is a verb (an action)
- e.g., You need to license your dog.
- LICENCE is a noun (a thing)
- e.g., You need to renew your dog’s licence.
In the United States:
- LICENCE is both a verb and a noun
- e.g., You need to licence your dog so that it has a licence.
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THEATRE or THEATER –
which spelling is correct?
ANSWER: In Canada, both are correct.
The British spelling is theatre.
The American spelling is theater.
In Canada, it is acceptable to use either spelling.
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