Consistency is a crucial aspect of achieving coherence and clarity in academic writing. Nonetheless, students often find it challenging to distinguish between British English vs. American English, leading to confusion with the correct spelling of certain words, such as “favourite” or “favourite.” Continue reading to discover the subtle differences between these two English variants.
“Favourite” or “favourite”
“Favourite/favourite” is an adjective as well as a noun used to describe something or someone that is preferred or liked more than others. It can refer to a person’s most preferred choice or the most liked among a set of options. As an adjective, it modifies nouns by indicating a higher level of preference or liking. As a noun, “favourite/favourite” refers to a person or thing that is preferred or liked more than others. It is often used to denote something that is particularly favoured or held in high esteem by an individual. This can apply to a wide range of subjects, such as a favourite book, favourite food, favourite movie, or even a favourite person, like a friend or family member. The term indicates a special status among a group of options or individuals due to personal preference, affection, or enjoyment.
British English
favourite
American English
favourite
As you can see above, both spellings are widely accepted in their respective regions, and there’s no strict rule against using either form. It’s essential to be consistent within the chosen variant. In contexts where you need to follow a specific style guide, like in academic writing, you may adhere to the guidelines provided.
Note: The spelling “favourite” with a “u” in British English reflects historical developments in the English language. The addition of the “u” in words like “favourite” aligns with the influence of French spelling conventions. While the letter “u” in these words does not always affect pronunciation, it has become a distinctive feature of British English spelling.
Examples of using “favourite” and “favourite” as an adjective
The following examples will illustrate the difference in the spelling of the adjective “favourite/favourite” in British and American English.
Examples of using “favourite” and “favourite” as a noun
The following examples will illustrate the difference in the spelling of the noun “favourite/favourite” in British and American English.
“Favour” or “favour”
One form that is closely related to “favourite/favourite” is the word “favour” or “favour”. The additional “u” can also be applied for this instance. The same goes for other words that are like “favourite/favourite”, namely “favouritism/favoritism” and “favourable/favorable”. “Favour/favour” is a noun that means an act of kindness or a preference for something or someone. As a verb, it means to show kindness or preference. Here is how it is spelled in each English variant.
- British English: Favour
- American English: Favor
“Favouritism” or “favoritism”
“Favouritism/favoritism” refers to the practice of giving preferential treatment or showing bias toward a particular person, group, or thing over others, often based on personal preferences, relationships, or subjective reasons. It involves showing favour or partiality without considering objective criteria or merit. Which form is used, in which English variant, will be listed below.
- British English: Favouritism
- American English: Favoritism
“Favourable” or “favorable”
“Favourable/favorable” are spelling variations used in British English and American English, respectively. Both terms are adjectives and share the same meaning, which means they can be used interchangeably. The term means conducive to success, positive, or advantageous.
- British English: Favourable
- American English: Favorable
FAQs
Both “favourite” (British English spelling) and “favourite” (American English spelling) are correct, and the choice between them depends on the English variant you are using.
In Canada, which follows Canadian English, both spellings “favourite” and “favourite” are generally accepted. However, Canadian English tends to align more closely with British English in terms of spelling conventions. Therefore, “favourite” is often the more commonly used spelling in Canada.
While “most favourite” is commonly used in everyday language, it is technically considered redundant from a strictly grammatical standpoint. Both “most” and “favourite” imply a superlative sense, indicating the highest degree of preference or liking. Therefore, saying “most favourite” is redundant because “favourite” already implies the superlative.
“Fave” and “favourite” essentially convey the same meaning, but “fave” is an informal or colloquial abbreviation of “favourite.” The difference lies in formality and usage.
- Favorite: Standard and formal spelling used in proper English, suitable for all contexts, including formal writing and speech.
- Fave: Informal, abbreviated form, often used in casual conversations, social media, or informal writing. It is more commonly seen in modern online communication.
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