ESEN
Which one to use?Beginnerverbadjective
WritevsRight
One is the verb for putting words on paper; the other means correct, a direction, or a moral claim.
Side-by-side comparison
Write
verb"Write" is to put words or symbols on paper or a screen, or to compose text. "Write an email" = compose an email. Irregular: write, wrote, written.
I need to write a report by Friday.
Write your name at the top of the exam paper.
She has always wanted to write a novel.
Right
adjective"Right" can be an adjective (correct), noun (an entitlement), adverb (exactly, or to the right side), or direction. "That's right" = correct. "Human rights" = freedoms everyone is entitled to.
That's the right answer. Well done!
Turn right at the traffic lights.
Everyone has the right to a fair trial.
Common mistake
- •Writing error: "I need to right an email" (correct: write an email).
- •Or the reverse: "That's the write answer" (correct: right answer).
Trick to remember it
"Write" starts with W for Words, if you are producing words, use "write." "Right" starts with R for Correct (and also for Rights, something you respect or legally have).
Quick rule
Are you producing text or words? "Write." Is it correct, a direction, or a legal claim? "Right."
Did you know?
English has three words that sound exactly alike: WRITE (to compose), RIGHT (correct/rightward/entitlement), and RITE (a ceremony or ritual). All three are perfect homophones. The W in WRITE has been silent since at least the 17th century, before that it was pronounced "hw-rite." The W is also silent in the entire WR- family: WRAP, WRIST, WRONG, WRECK, WRESTLE, WREN (a bird). This silent W is a pronunciation fossil from Old English and Germanic, where "wr-" combinations were pronounced with both letters articulated. The process of losing the W before R happened gradually between the 15th and 17th centuries.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
She loves to _____ short stories in her spare time.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Turn _____ at the end of the road and the supermarket is on your left.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
AcceptvsExcept
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
AdvicevsAdvise
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
AffectvsEffect
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
AislevsIsle
'Aisle' is the walkway between rows of seats or shelves; 'isle' is a small island.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy