Both grey and gray are correct spellings of the color that is in between black and white. The difference between grey and gray is that grey is more commonly used in British English, while gray is more common in American English. There are times when using one spelling over the other is preferred based on the context.
Quick Overview
Here is a quick overview of the key differences between grey and gray:
- Grey is the preferred spelling in British English.
- Gray is the preferred spelling in American English.
- Both are correct spellings and pronounced the same way.
- Grey is considered the original British spelling.
- Gray became popularized in the United States in the early 19th century.
- Some proper names are spelled with an “A” like Earl Grey tea.
- When writing for a specific audience, use their preferred regional spelling.
Grey vs. Gray in British vs. American English
The key difference between grey and gray is regional spelling preferences. In British English, grey is the more common spelling, while in American English, gray is more common. However, both spellings are correct and interchangeable across regions.
Grey comes from the Middle English grai and was later influenced by the Old French spellings grei and gris. Gray traces back to the Old English spellings grǣg and grēg.
Over time, gray became Americanized with “ey” changed to “ay”. This first occurred in the early 19th century and by 1840, gray overtook grey as the predominant spelling in American English literature and media. Therefore, gray is now considered the conventional spelling in the United States and Canada.
Meanwhile, grey remained the favoured spelling in Great Britain and other areas that use British spelling conventions like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It is the more popular spelling today in British published works.
Proper Name Exceptions
While grey and gray can be used interchangeably in most cases, some proper names are specifically trademarked or stylized with an “A” or “E”. Examples include:
- Earl Grey – a famous British tea named after Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl Grey in the 1830s.
- Graybar – an electrical equipment distribution company founded in the 1920s.
- Grey Advertising – an ad agency started in 1917 by Lawrence Valenstein.
With proper names like these, the proper spelling should be maintained. Otherwise, either grey or gray is acceptable for general writing purposes.
Using Grey vs. Gray in Context
When using grey or gray in writing, here are some guidelines to follow:
- Use grey in works following British spelling and grammar conventions.
- Use gray in works following American spelling and grammar rules.
- Match grey/gray spellings to the audience and publication.
- Use the preferred spelling on organizational websites and branding materials.
- Utilize the appropriate spelling in direct quotations.
- Maintain proper spellings for trademarked names.
Checking previous organizational publications and style guides can provide context for which variation is appropriate in a given situation. When in doubt, choose the spelling that matches the audience’s regional English dialect.
Usage Statistics
Looking at usage statistics provides some insight into how frequently grey and gray appear in publications from different English-speaking countries:
| Country | Grey Usage | Gray Usage |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 84% | 16% |
| United States | 18% | 82% |
| Canada | 28% | 72% |
| Australia | 83% | 17% |
| New Zealand | 78% | 22% |
This data shows grey being used over 80% of the time in the UK and other British English-speaking countries. Meanwhile, gray is preferred in the US at 82% usage. Canada falls somewhere in the middle with a slight gray preference at 72%.
General Guidelines
Based on all of this information, here are some general guidelines on when to use grey vs. gray:
- Use grey in works for a British audience.
- Use gray in works for an American audience.
- Utilize grey for consistency in British English publications.
- Utilize gray for consistency in American English publications.
- Use proper spellings for trademarked names like Earl Grey tea.
- Either can be used for general writing if the audience is mixed or unknown.
- Pick one variation and use it consistently within a single piece.
The main point is knowing your audience. British audiences expect grey while American ones expect gray. For broad or informal contexts, just pick one spelling and stick with it for consistency.
Conclusion
When it comes to deciding between grey and gray, either spelling is technically correct. Grey is preferred in British English while gray is favored in American English. The key is choosing the appropriate regional spelling based on your audience and utilizing it consistently to avoid confusion.
Proper names like Earl Grey tea should always maintain their trademarked spelling. For your own writing, know your readership and publication style guide, then select either grey or gray and use it throughout the document. Both are right, so pick one that suits your purpose and stick with it!
