Don't worry, you are not the only one wondering if it is more correct to write gray or gray. The answer largely depends on where you are.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Learning the Easiest Way
Step 1. You write "gray" in American English
If you are in the United States, the most commonly accepted form is the one with the a, gray.
In the United States, the gray form is 20 times more common than gray
Step 2. You write gray in British English
If you are in the UK, Canada or Australia, write this word with an e, gray.
In the UK, the gray form is 20 times more common than gray
Part 2 of 3: Understanding the Historical Background
Step 1. Learn the word in Old English
Both gray and gray derive from grǣg, an Old English word that was used to refer to the same color.
- Both variants date back hundreds of years; there is no right and wrong;
- It should be emphasized that at the beginning of the 1700s in all English dialects the most common form was gray; however, by 1825, American English had changed to gray. Over time, both versions have become commonplace; in any case, the distinction between British and American English remains.
Step 2. Keep in mind that color differences are subjective
Although occasionally some people consider gray and gray to be two slightly different colors, this distinction comes mostly from a matter of preference.
- Both forms basically refer to the same neutral hue positioned between black and white in the color spectrum and can equally be used to talk about something dull, gloomy.
- While there is no real difference in color, over the centuries there has been talk of a distinction. For example, in 1835 the English pharmacist George Field attempted to distinguish the two colors by stating that gray referred to a cold shade and shades of blue, while gray meant only the neutral shade. However, his explanation did not convince public opinion and, today, it no longer has any relevance.
Step 3. Remember the difference with a memory trick
If you don't remember how and when to use gray and gray, keep this trick in mind:
- Associate the a in gray with the initial of America and the e contained in gray with the initial of England. This will help you remember that gray is the form used in American English, while gray is the one used in British English.
- In any case, remember that the UK is not the only country to use gray. In countries where British English is spoken, including all members of the United Kingdom, this word is spelled with an e. Dialects similar to British English (such as that spoken in Canada and Australia) also use the form gray.
Step 4. Don't worry too much
Although the way this word is spelled varies by location, it's not a problem if you forget the rule or get confused without meaning to. Both forms have a historical basis and are commonly accepted no matter where you are.
Part 3 of 3: Applying the Rule to Other Shapes
Step 1. Alternate gray and gray in the verb forms
When you use the term as a verb, you can spell it either way for all forms.
- In other words, both graying and graying are correct, as are grays and grays or grayed and greyed.
- As with the basic form, the preference for a or e changes depending on the variant of English used. Stick to the a forms for American English and the e forms for British English.
Step 2. Most expressions can be written either way
Like verbal forms, most expressions that contain this word as a stem can be written either way.
- This rule applies to many words, such as graybeard for example (old in English, which can also be spelled greybeard), but is especially true for multilexical expressions, such as gray / gray area or gray / gray. matter (gray matter in English).
- In these cases you have to stick to the e form if you are using British English, and the a form for American English.
Step 3. Know which words have a unique shape
In rare cases, some expressions that contain this word as a stem must necessarily be written with an a or an e.
- This rule is especially true for surnames. If someone is called Gray, you can't write their surname with an e (and vice versa).
- Earl Gray tea must always be spelled with an e, as its name derives from Charles Gray, British Prime Minister between 1830 and 1834.
- Although not a proper name, the word greyhound must always be written with an e. Conversely, the word grayling (grayling in English, a type of fish) must always be written with an a.
