Grammist
Stop guessing which word is right.
Type in the two words you’re stuck between. Get the direct answer first, then the reasoning after. That way the next time it comes up, you already know it.
occured → occurred
definately → definitely
recieve → receive
One rule fixes all three. “I before E” has more exceptions than the rhyme admits, and we cover why, without the lecture.
Pick your problem
Six kinds of grammar confusion, sorted so you can find yours in one click.
Spelling and usage mix-ups
The one-letter swaps spellcheck won’t flag: affect/effect, its/it’s, and the rest.
SynonymsA better word than the one you typed
Plain alternatives for overused words, sorted by tone: casual, formal, or academic.
Idioms and phrasesWhat people actually mean
Common expressions explained in one line, with an example you’d actually say out loud.
Similes and metaphorsComparisons for writing that doesn’t sound stiff
Ready-made lines for essays, stories, and captions, grouped by what you’re describing.
Slang and meaningsWhat that text actually means
Abbreviations and slang explained straight, with no judgment about who’s asking.
Professional phrasingSay it politely without sounding fake
Better ways to write the emails you send on autopilot: apologies, follow-ups, declines.
Straight answers, not essays
Every entry leads with the answer. Here’s the format, in miniature.
Affect or effect?
Affect is (almost always) the verb: it affects your mood. Effect is (almost always) the noun: the effect on your mood.
Their, there, or they’re?
Their shows ownership. There points to a place. They’re is short for “they are.” Read it as two words and the mix-up usually disappears.
“Comprised of” or “composed of”?
Use composed of. The whole comprises the parts, so it doesn’t need “of” at all. “Comprised of” is common, but strict style guides still mark it wrong.
Why Grammist exists
Most grammar sites answer your question somewhere around paragraph six, after a story about the history of the English language. We put the answer first because that’s what you came for.
Every entry here is written by someone who checked it against a dictionary and a style guide, not generated once and left alone. If something’s wrong, tell us and we’ll fix it the same day.
Still not sure which one you need?
Browse everything Grammist has answered so far.
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