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 mrs malaprop
What is a malaprop?

 

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

play emily-brewster-with-the-words-effect-affect-on-screen
How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'

 

A simple way to keep them apart. (Most of the time.)

play ismo merriam webster tip
Some Odd Words with ISMO: "People Tipping"

 

Comedian ISMO on the complexities of the word 'tip'

play merriam-webster eggcorns title page
What Is an Eggcorn?

 

And how did it get that name?

play image1815466723
How Do You Pronounce 'Vase'?

 

And is one way more correct than the others?

play emily brewster and one and the same text graphic
'One in the same' or 'One and the same'?

 

Is it all the same anyway?