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.

Browse all topics Start with word pairs

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.

Word pairs

Spelling and usage mix-ups

The one-letter swaps spellcheck won’t flag: affect/effect, its/it’s, and the rest.

Synonyms

A better word than the one you typed

Plain alternatives for overused words, sorted by tone: casual, formal, or academic.

Idioms and phrases

What people actually mean

Common expressions explained in one line, with an example you’d actually say out loud.

Similes and metaphors

Comparisons for writing that doesn’t sound stiff

Ready-made lines for essays, stories, and captions, grouped by what you’re describing.

Slang and meanings

What that text actually means

Abbreviations and slang explained straight, with no judgment about who’s asking.

Professional phrasing

Say 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.