play alright allright video
Commonly Confused

Alright vs. All Right

Is it all right to use both? Do they mean different things? Which one will make your English teacher smile?


Although the spelling alright has been in use for over 200 years, some critics have insisted alright is all wrong. Others maintain that alright and all right have distinct meanings and serve different purposes. Emily Brewster explains.

Up next

play alright allright video
Alright vs. All Right

 

Is 'alright' all right?

play hot mess
Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

play video ending a sentence with a preposition
Ending a Sentence with a Preposition

 

An old-fashioned rule we can no longer put up with.

play video its vs its
Its vs. It's

 

Some practical guidance, and interesting history, about a common mistake.

play video his or her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'

play video lay vs lie
Lay vs. Lie

 

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

play video schwa
The Schwa

 

The most common vowel sound in English causes many spelling problems.