Quick answer: Both “favour” and “favor” are correct. Use “favor” if you’re writing in American English. Use “favour” if you’re writing in British English, Canadian English, Australian English, or any other Commonwealth variety.
If you have ever stared at your screen wondering whether to type “favor” or “favour” before hitting send on an important email, you are not alone. This is one of the most common spelling dilemmas for writers working across different English-speaking regions. The confusion stems from a historical split in spelling conventions that happened centuries ago, yet persists in every document we write today. Understanding the distinction is not just about pedantry; it is about ensuring your writing looks professional and polished to your specific audience.
| Term | Meaning / When to use | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Favor | American English spelling. Use this when writing for a US audience, in US academic papers, or for American publications. | “Could you do me a favor and review this report before the meeting?” |
| Favour | British English spelling (also used in UK, Canada, Australia, NZ). Use this for Commonwealth audiences and international English contexts outside the US. | “I would be grateful if you could do me a favour by checking these figures.” |
When to use favor
The spelling “favor” is the standard in the United States. If you are writing for an American audience, submitting work to a US-based publisher, or communicating with colleagues in New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, this is the only spelling you should use.
The rule is straightforward: if your target reader is American, drop the “u”. This applies to all derivatives of the word as well, such as “favorable,” “favoring,” and “favorite.”
As an editor who has reviewed thousands of manuscripts, I see this error constantly when international writers try to adapt their work for American markets. They often leave the “u” in out of habit, which immediately signals to an American reader that the text was not originally written for them.
Here are three concrete examples of how to correct this in real-world scenarios:
- Email to a US client:
- Incorrect: “Hi John, I was hoping you could do me a favour and send over the contracts.”
- Correct: “Hi John, I was hoping you could do me a favor and send over the contracts.”
- Resume/CV for a US job application:
- Incorrect: “Skilled in building favourable relationships with stakeholders.”
- Correct: “Skilled in building favorable relationships with stakeholders.”
- Social media post targeting Americans:
- Incorrect: “What’s your favourite summer activity?”
- Correct: “What’s your favorite summer activity?”
Using the American spelling is non-negotiable if you want your writing to blend seamlessly into the US landscape. adhering to the regional norm is what makes a spelling “correct” in a specific context (Wikipedia, “Correct”).
When to use favour
The spelling “favour” is the standard in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most other Commonwealth nations. If you are writing for a British audience, submitting to a UK publisher, or communicating with colleagues in London, Toronto, or Sydney, you must keep the “u”. For more, see Correct.
This spelling convention is part of a larger pattern in British English where words ending in “-our” are preferred over the American “-or”. This includes words like “colour,” “honour,” “labour,” and “neighbour.”
I frequently edit documents for multinational corporations where the headquarters are in London but they have a large US branch. The biggest mistake I see is inconsistency. A writer will start a report with “favour” and then accidentally switch to “favor” halfway through because they have been reading American news sites. This inconsistency looks sloppy and unprofessional.
Here are three concrete examples of using “favour” correctly:
- Formal letter to a UK council:
- Incorrect: “I am writing to ask for a favor regarding the parking permits.”
- Correct: “I am writing to ask for a favour regarding the parking permits.”
- Canadian university essay:
- Incorrect: “The data speaks in favor of the new policy.”
- Correct: “The data speaks in favour of the new policy.”
- Australian business proposal:
- Incorrect: “We hope this finds you in good favor.”
- Correct: “We hope this finds you in good favour.”
The retention of the “u” in “favour” is a hallmark of traditional English spelling that was preserved in the Commonwealth while it was discarded in the United States. The history of this specific word and its usage variations is well-documented in etymological records (Wikipedia, “Favour”).
How to remember the difference
The most effective mnemonic I teach my editing students is the “U for Union Jack” trick.
If you are writing for the UK (or Commonwealth), remember that the Union Jack flag has a U in it (well, conceptually, for the sake of the mnemonic). Therefore, you keep the U in “favour”.
Conversely, the United States (USA) does not have a “U” in its abbreviation that stands for “Union” in the same way (it stands for States). But a better way to remember the American side is: Americans are too busy to write the extra letter. They dropped the “u” to make the word shorter and more efficient.
Another powerful trick is to look at the word “Honour”.
- If you spell it “Honor,” you are American. -> Use “Favor”.
- If you spell it “Honour,” you are British/Commonwealth. -> Use “Favour”.
Most people know how they spell “honour/honor” instinctively. Just match “favor/favour” to that same pattern. If you write “colour,” you write “favour.” If you write “color,” you write “favor.” For more, see Favour.
Here is a quick checklist for your mental editor:
- Writing to a client in London? -> Favour
- Writing a blog post for a US startup? -> Favor
- Writing an academic paper for a Canadian journal? -> Favour
- Filling out a form for the US government? -> Favor
Common mistakes and exceptions
Even seasoned writers stumble here, usually due to software settings or mixed audiences.
1. The Microsoft Word Trap The most common mistake I see is relying blindly on spellcheck. If your Microsoft Word language setting is set to “English (United States)” but you are writing a letter to a British client, Word will underline “favour” with a red squiggly line, telling you it is wrong. It isn’t wrong for your audience; it is just wrong for your software setting. Always check your proofing language settings before you start writing.
2. The “In Favor Of” vs “In Favour Of” Phrase This specific phrase is a hotspot for errors.
- US: “The committee voted in favor of the motion.”
- UK: “The committee voted in favour of the motion.” Writers often mix these up in international business reports. If you are reporting on a US event for a UK newspaper, you should generally keep the original spelling of the event (“in favor of”) unless you are translating the concept entirely, but consistency within your document is key.
3. Proper Nouns and Brands This is a hard rule: Never change the spelling of a proper noun.
- If a US band is called “Lady Favor,” you do not spell it “Lady Favour” just because you are in London.
- If a British charity is called “The Favour Foundation,” you do not Americanize it to “Favor” in a US article. Respect the entity’s chosen spelling, regardless of your regional dialect.
4. Derivatives and Consistency The mistake isn’t just with the root word. It extends to:
- Favorite / Favourite
- Favorable / Favourable
- Favoritism / Favouritism I often see a writer use “favour” in the first paragraph and “favorite” in the second. This inconsistency is a glaring red flag to editors. Pick a lane and stay in it for the entire document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “favor” incorrect in the UK? Yes, in a formal or professional context, using “favor” in the UK is considered an Americanism and may be viewed as a spelling error or a lack of attention to local conventions. While readers will understand you, it marks your writing as foreign.
Can I use “favour” in the United States? You can, but it will look unusual. Most American spell-checkers will flag it as an error. Unless you are quoting a British source or writing about the differences in spelling, using “favour” in an American document will distract the reader and make your writing look unpolished.
Which spelling does Canada use? Canada predominantly uses British spelling conventions, so “favour” is the standard spelling in Canadian English. However, due to the proximity and influence of the United States, you will occasionally see “favor” in informal Canadian writing, but for official documents and professional communication, stick with “favour.”
Does the meaning change between the two spellings? No, the meaning is identical. Both words refer to an act of kindness beyond what is due or usual, or an attitude of approval or liking. The only difference is the geographical region where the spelling is standard.
Brian Garcia has always been fascinated by the intricacies of the English language. With a Master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Chicago and over 15 years of experience in the field, Brian has dedicated his career to unraveling the complexities of word usage, comparisons, and spelling. His expertise lies in breaking down commonly confused words, helping readers gain clarity and confidence in their language skills. What drew Brian to this field was his passion for storytelling and his love for the art of communication. As a content creator for WordCompareHub, he focuses on engaging readers with insightful articles that demystify tricky word pairs and offer practical spelling tips. In his free time, Brian enjoys delving into etymology and exploring the evolution of words through history.