There was a myth back in the 19th century that America dropped letters like the “u” in words to save money. Given that ink was practically gold back in the day, it’s not too unlikely that they did that.
Despite these differences in spelling, words such as favour vs favor sound the same and mean the same. The rule is to stay consistent.
If you’re writing in British English, keep the “u”s, but if you’re writing in American English, drop them.
But how do you know when to use what? It all depends on what you’re writing and who you’re writing for. That’s why grammar checkers and software have different English dialect settings.
Ignoring these rules can make your writing seem careless, inconsistent, or harder to read.
Master the distinctions between American and British English spelling, and you’ll be much more likely to produce polished content.
Here’s what you need to know.
Key Takeaways
- Favor is the American English spelling
- Favour is the British English spelling
- Both words have exactly the same meaning
- Your choice should match your audience’s regional expectations
- Consistency throughout your writing is essential
- AI tools can help you maintain the right spelling convention
What Is the Difference Between Favour vs Favor?
The difference is purely geographical. There’s no distinction in meaning, pronunciation, or usage between favour and favor.
They’re the same word, just dressed differently depending on which side of the Atlantic you’re writing for.
This spelling variation exists because of historical language evolution.
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When American English began standardizing in the 18th and 19th centuries, Noah Webster (yes, the dictionary guy) deliberately simplified many British spellings.
He dropped the “u” from words like colour, honour, and favour as part of a broader push to make American English more phonetic and distinct.
British English kept the “u” because it was how words originated in Old French (“favour” comes from the French word “faveur”). Americans decided to simplify and streamline their spellings, and the split became permanent.
Key Points
The spelling you choose signals something to your reader, even if they don’t consciously notice it.
Use “favor” for American audiences and “favour” for British, Canadian, Australian, and most other English-speaking regions outside the US.
Here’s what stays the same regardless of spelling: the word functions identically as both a noun and a verb. You can do someone a favor (noun) or favour someone with your attention (verb). The meaning never changes.
One important note: consistency matters more than which version you pick. Don’t switch between spellings within the same piece of writing unless you’re directly quoting someone.
Mixed spelling conventions look sloppy and can make your writing harder to follow.
How to Use Favour and Favor
Both words work the same way grammatically. Here’s a quick guide to help you use them correctly.
Favour
Use “favour” when writing for British, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, or other Commonwealth audiences. This is the international standard outside of America.
As a noun, “favour” means an act of kindness, approval, or preference. You might ask someone for a favour, or earn someone’s favour through good work. It can also refer to a small gift given at parties or events.
As a verb, “favour” means to prefer something, to show preference toward someone, or to treat someone with kindness or partiality. You might favour one candidate over another, or the weather might favour your outdoor plans.
If you’re writing for a UK-based publication, a Canadian company, or an Australian blog, default to “favour.” When in doubt, check the publication’s style guide or look at how they spell similar words like “colour” and “honour.”
Favor
Use “favor” for American readers. This is standard across all US publications, websites, and formal writing.
The noun and verb functions are identical to “favour.” You can ask for a favor (noun) or favor a particular approach (verb). The only difference is that American readers expect this spelling.
Most American style guides, including the Associated Press (AP) and the Chicago Manual of Style, prescribe “favor” as the standard.
If you’re writing for US audiences or following American editorial standards, this should be your spelling of choice.
One helpful tip: if you’re writing content that needs to feel natural and easy to understand, Undetectable AI’s AI Chat can catch spelling inconsistencies and help you maintain the right regional conventions throughout your work.
It’s especially useful when you’re adapting content between different English varieties or when you’ve collaborated with writers from different regions.
Examples of Favour vs Favor in Sentences
Seeing these words in context can make usage clearer. Here are examples showing both spellings in action.
British English (Favour):
- “Could you do me a favour and proofread this report?”
- “The new policy seems to favour remote workers over office staff.”
- “She won the favour of the committee with her presentation.”
- “I’m not asking for special favours, just fair treatment.”
American English (Favor):
- “Can you do me a favor and grab coffee on your way in?”
- “The algorithm tends to favor newer content in search results.”
- “He tried to win her favor with compliments.”
- “The judge showed no favor to either side during the trial.”
Notice how the meaning stays constant. The context, grammar, and tone don’t shift at all between spellings.
If you’re generating content with AI or need help checking whether your writing matches your intended audience, Undetectable AI’s AI Detector and Humanizer can help you write in the appropriate regional style from the start.
It’s particularly useful when you’re not a native speaker or when you’re juggling multiple projects with different style requirements.
Context and Region Matter
Think about your audience first. Are you writing for an American company’s blog? Use “favor.” Publishing in a British literary magazine? Go with “favour.”
Working for an international organization? Check their style guide, since most stick to one spelling convention worldwide.
Region-specific spelling builds trust with readers. When an American reader sees “favour,” it can feel formal or foreign.
When a British reader sees “favor,” it might seem like an error or suggest the content wasn’t written with them in mind. These are subtle signals, but they matter.
American vs British English
The favour/favor split is just one example of broader differences between American and British English. When you realize these patterns, you can make consistent choices across your writing.
American English generally drops the “u” in words ending in “-our”: color, humor, labor, flavor, neighbor. British English keeps it: colour, humour, labour, flavour, neighbour.
Other common differences include “-ize” vs “-ise” endings (realize vs realise), “-er” vs “-re” endings (center vs centre), and double consonants in certain verb forms (traveling vs travelling).
If you’re writing in one variety of English, you need consistency across all these patterns. You can’t use “favor” and “colour” in the same piece without looking inconsistent. Pick your convention and commit to it.
Favour vs Favor in Writing
Professional writing demands consistency in spelling conventions. Here’s how to maintain it across different types of content.
For academic writing, follow the style guide your institution or publication requires. Many American universities use APA or MLA, which prescribe American spelling. British universities typically follow UK conventions.
In fiction and creative writing, your choice often depends on where you plan to publish and who your characters are.
An American character would naturally think “favor,” while a British character would think “favour.” Setting can dictate spelling, too.
Business writing should match your company’s location or primary market. If you’re a US company writing for US clients, use American spelling. If you’re based in the UK or targeting Commonwealth markets, use British spelling.
When you’re revising content or adapting writing between different English varieties, Undetectable AI’s Writing Style Replicator can help you shift between American and British conventions while maintaining your voice and tone.
Writers who work across multiple markets or need to localize content quickly will find this tool especially useful.
Common Mistakes to Avoid and Some Tips
Even experienced writers slip up with favour vs favor. Here are the most common errors and how to prevent them.
- Mixing spellings within one piece: Pick “favour” or “favor” at the start and stick with it. Don’t switch halfway through because you forgot which convention you were using.
- Forgetting related words: If you choose “favor,” you also need “favorable,” “favored,” and “favoritism.” If you pick “favour,” use “favourable,” “favoured,” and “favouritism.” The spelling convention applies to all forms of the word.
- Ignoring your audience: Don’t use British spelling for American readers just because it looks more sophisticated to you. Use the spelling your readers expect.
- Not setting region-specific spellcheck: Most people have their spellcheck set to one default variety, but you’ll need to adjust it to the correct regional setting if you’re writing for a different audience.
Set your word processor to the correct English variety before you start writing and keep a style sheet for larger projects, noting which conventions you’re using.
When you’re editing, do a search for both spellings to make sure you haven’t mixed them up accidentally.
If you’re working with AI-generated content, always check for spelling consistency. AI models sometimes mix American and British spellings because they’re trained on text from both varieties.
A quick review catches these issues before publication.
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Why the “U” Really Matters
The favour vs favor debate isn’t really a debate at all. Both spellings are correct. Your job as a writer is simply to know your audience and stay consistent.
Use “favor” for American English contexts and “favour” for British English and Commonwealth audiences.
Apply the same logic to related words and all other spelling conventions in your piece. When you’re consistent, readers trust your professionalism.
Whether you’re working on essays, articles, stories, or business documents, clarity and consistency matter more than which spelling convention you choose. Pick the one that best serves your readers, and commit to it.
And if you need help maintaining consistency across your writing, AI writing tools can save you time and catch errors you might miss on your own.
Maintain flawless consistency and a natural tone across every draft with Undetectable AI.