Confusing Words: Armor and Armour (noun)
Meaning: the metal coverings formerly worn to protect the body in battle.
Armor vs Armour Clarification: Armor and armour are two different spellings of the same word which is used as a noun or a verb within sentences.

Armor vs Armour – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

Are there any similarities and differences between armor and armour? Why these words are a cause of confusion among writers?

One of the confusions between armor and armour is that these words sound exactly same. Armor and armour are just one-letter apart. Actually, one of these words is related to American English while the other one is preferred in British English. Both of these words are same in terms of meanings and functions. You can use any word from these two versions as nothing is wrong with both of these words.

Continue reading the post to find out which word is suitable for American texts and which one is more preferable in British texts.

Is it Armor or Armour?

As I mentioned above that both armor and armour are same words in terms of meaning as well as in function. These words can be used as a noun or a verb within sentences.

Meaning of Armor/Armour as a noun

As a noun, armor or armour means a metal protective shield for the warriors. It is mainly used to protect the body in battle. In general, it means a protective shield or covering.

1. The warrior was in search of his armor/armour.

2. The truth can be your armor/armour in difficult situations.

3. A weapon designed for use against enemy armor/armour.

Meaning of Armor/Armour as a verb

As a verb, it means to cover or to protect.

1. Armor/Armour yourself in order to get out of this situation.

2. The truth always armored/armoured him in difficult situations.

Check Out: The Difference Between Among and Between.

Important Point to Remember

It is clear from the above discussion that both armor and armour have same meanings and function within sentences. There is one very important point to remember.

Though both of these words have no differences in meanings but there is a difference in spellings. Remember that the word ‘armor’ is the preferred spelling in American English while ‘armour’ is more standard spelling in British English.

It means that if you are writing an American text, you have to choose the spelling (armor) that is considered to be correct in AmE. On the other side, if you are at British publication then your choice should be ‘armour’.

Here are some examples which are taken from American and British texts.

• The vehicles are widely used by SWAT teams in the US, and feature advanced bullet proof and blast proof armour and ballistic glass windows. (grammarist.com)

• I am your knight in shining armor. I am here to save you from Linkin Park. (Rufus Wainwright)

What Did You Learn?

Armor and armour are two different spellings of the same word which is used as a noun or a verb within sentences. As a noun, it means a protective shield and as a verb, it means to cover or to protect. Just remember that armor is the preferred spelling in American English while armour is more standard spelling in British English.

Confusing Words: Anyway (adverb) and Anyways (adverb)
Meaning: “used to confirm or support a point or idea just mentioned.”
Anyway vs Anyways Clarification: Both the words carry the same meaning but ‘anyways’ is considered to be an informal or colloquial word.

Anyway vs Anyways – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

Some people seem to be confused between anyway and anyways.

Both of these words are just one-letter apart. Actually, one of these words is considered to be an informal word but a few people are used to say that informal word that has to be avoided.

Let me tell you which word is correct to use and which one is considered to be a colloquial variant.

Anyway or Anyways?

From the above two words, anyways is the one that is said to be an informal form of anyway. If you are writing any formal text then it is very necessary to choose anyway instead of anyways.

The correct word ‘anyway’ is used as an adverb. Anyway can be used in different situations like, it can be used to change the subject; it can be used to give importance to something; or it can be used to end a conversation. In short, the meaning of anyway is ‘in any case’.

1. Anyway, I think we should move on to the next place.

2. Though she was on diet, but she ate a chocolate bar ayway.

3. Anyway, I was about to join the dance classes for this party.

Anyways As An Informal Term:

As I said above that anyways is an informal variant of anyway. It is good for you to avoid using anyways because it is considered to be an incorrect word.

But if you use anyways, then it is also taken as an adverb. If you want to use anyways, try to use it in informal texts as an adverb.

• Anyways, this is not your job.

• You should go from here anyways.

Is Any way a Colloquial Term Too?

If we are talking about anyway and anyways, then the two words any way should not be avoided. The two words ‘any way’ is not related to the term anyway.

Actually, the word is ‘way’ which is a noun and the word ‘any’ is an adjective. These two words are totally separated words from each other. Just because of its pronunciation, it is often confused with the word anyway.

Any way (with a space) mean any particular way or direction.

So, it is clear from the above discussion that any way have nothing to do with the word anyway.

Check Out: Difference Between Any More and Anymore.

What Did You Learn?

Anyway and anyways depict the same meaning and usage within sentences. However, the word ‘anyways’ is considered to be an informal or colloquial word. Anyway is the correct choice to use as an adverb that means ‘in any case’.

Confusing Words: Attain (verb) and Obtain (verb)
Meaning:
Attain (succeed in achieving (something that one has worked for).
Obtain (get, acquire, or secure (something).)
Attain vs Obtain Clarification: Attain and obtain are used as verbs within sentences.

Attain vs Obtain – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

These words are two-letters apart. They are quite similar in terms of their meanings. Even, some people think that attain and obtain are interchangeable. This is wrong because you cannot think that these words are same in meanings. You should be careful in word choice in order to avoid errors in texts.

I will define each term with examples that will clear up all the confusions regarding attain and obtain.

Attain

Attain is used as a verb within sentences. Attain means to earn, win, acquire, achieve or accomplish something. You attain something through hard word and effort.

1. You should work hard to attain higher grades in final exams.

2. After several days of training, I attained the top rank that I desired the most.

3. Anything you really want, you can attain, if you really go after it. (Wayne Dyer)

Obtain

Obtain is also used as a verb within a sentence. Obtain is related to the things. Generally, it means that you only obtain physical things. However, obtain means to get something. Unlike attain, you do not have to make any effort to obtain something.

1. My friends were very excited to obtain the live concert’s entry tickets.

2. I obtained my most favourite novel from a nearby book shop.

3. Good people obtain pure joy not because they do great things but, because they do small acts of kindness with great love and with caring heart. (Unknown)

Got the Difference?

From the above discussion, it is clear that both attain and obtain are very similar in term of meanings. In fact, there is a minor difference to keep them apart. To attain is to achieve something with determination, hard work or effort.

To obtain, however, is to get something and you do not have to make so much efforts to obtain anything. For instance, you can obtain your favourite coloured dress from a super market. If you cannot afford to fulfill your desire and you are working so hard to make your lifstyle better. Then, after much hard work, you finally attain the things you desired for.

Attain = to win or to achieve through effort

Obtain = to get without much effort

What Did You Learn?

Attain and obtain are used as verbs within sentences. You cannot use these words interchangeably as they are slightly different in meanings. Attain means to earn or to achieve something through effort whereas, obtain means to get something without any hard work.

Confusing Words: noun
Meaning: a tool used for chopping wood, typically of iron with a steel edge and wooden handle.
Ax vs Axe Clarification: Ax and axe are two different spellings of the same word. There is no distinction in meaning as well as in pronunciation.

Ax vs Axe – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

The fact behind these two words is that ax and axe are two different spellings of the same word. The pronunciation of both of these spellings are exactly same and there is also no distinction in meanings.

The difference is only in their spellings. Actually, the two varieties of English language (American English and British English) keep them apart.
Let us find out which word is most suitable for style.

Ax

Ax is the preferable spelling in American English. This particular word is used as a noun or a verb within sentences. As a noun, ax means a tool with a sharp head and a handle used for cutting, chopping or splitting of trees or wood. Woodcutters usually have this tool.

1. The woodcutter cannot find out his ax to cut down the tree.

2. The man used an ax for his criminal activities.

3. An attitude can murder just as easily as an ax. (Woodrow M Kroll)

As a verb, ax means to trim, to chop or to remove something.

1. The company is about to ax a worker who is not working effeciently.

2. Do you want me to ax some grocery items?

Axe

For many years, this particular spelling (axe) was preferably used within both American and British writings. After the spelling ax, axe is no more standard for American English and is now left only for British English.

Axe is preferably used in British English and it is used in the same context as I mentioned above in the ax’s description.

1. If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first four hours sharpening the axe. (Abraham Lincoln)

Check Out: What Is Antithesis?

An Important Point

If you will see the spelling axe in an American text, do not get confused because many American writings still use axe instead of ax. It is just a general fact that the American English slightly prefers ax whereas, for British English, axe is the standard spelling.

American English = Ax

British English = Axe

What Did You Learn?

Ax and axe are two different spellings of the same word. There is no distinction in meaning as well as in pronunciation. This particular word is used as a noun or a verb within a sentence.

You can use both ax and axe in American English but in British English, axe is the only standard spelling.

Confusing Words: Are (verb) and Our (determiner)
Meaning:
Are (second person singular present and first, second, third person plural present of be.)
Our (belonging to or associated with the speaker and one or more other people previously mentioned or easily identified.)
Clarification: The words are and our are not interchangeable. They have totally different meanings as well as functions.

Are vs Our – What is Difference, Definition & Meaning?

If you speak out these words, you will come to know that the pronunciation of both are and our is similar to each other. May be, this is the reason for their confusion. Otherwise, the meanings and the functions of both of these words are totally different. Are and our are not interchangeable.

These two words are very frequent words of English vocabulary. It is because of their functions within sentences that every person is used to say out these words many times in a day.

Let us explore the meanings and the functions of these words. I will explain them one by one.

Are

According to many dictionaries, are is the second person singular present and first, second and third person plural present of ‘be’. ‘Be’ is used as a verb within sentences.

1. “You are one of my most favourite friends”, I said to Betty.

2. We are all happy and excited to join you at the cinema.

3. The people of Turkey are so lovable and sweet in communication.

4. Embrace who you are and don’t make any apologies for being yourself. (Unknown)

As a helping verb, are has the same function in the formation of complete clause.

• They are going to finish the deal very soon.

• You are making fun of this little fellow.

• My friends are having an awesome party tonight.

Check Out: The Difference Between Bear and Bare.

Our

According to The Cambridge Dictionary, our is used as a determiner within sentences that means ‘of or belonging to us’. It is a possessive form of ‘we’. It means that our is a possessive determiner or it is used as an adjective pronoun. In this way, it points out a custody or an ownership.

1. Our home is a sweet home.

2. We should keep our places neat and clean in order to protect our families from dangerous diseases.

3. All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to persue them. (Walt Disney)

What Did You Learn?

The words are and our are not interchangeable. They have totally different meanings as well as functions. Are is used as a verb. It is the second person singular present and first, second and third person plural present of ‘be’. Our, on the other hand, is used as a possessive determiner. It can point out a custody or an ownership.