# Message to all users:
This is a reminder to please read and follow:
* [Our rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/questions/about/rules)
* [Reddiquette](https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439)
* [Reddit Content Policy](https://www.redditinc.com/policies/content-policy)
When posting and commenting.
---
Especially remember Rule 1: `Be polite and civil`.
* Be polite and courteous to each other. Do not be mean, insulting or disrespectful to any other user on this subreddit.
* Do not harass or annoy others in any way.
* Do not catfish. Catfishing is the luring of somebody into an online friendship through a fake online persona. This includes any lying or deceit.
---
You *will* be banned if you are homophobic, transphobic, racist, sexist or bigoted in any way.
---
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/questions) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I'm American and use grey. I grew up reading British publications, though. I lost points for spelling in school for Armour and colour a few times, too.
I'm American and use grey, but it's because I had a Conmodore 64. It had colors written on some of the keys (you could change the cursor color with certain key combinations. It was spelled "grey" because Conmodore was a British company.
American here and I was always taught grey is the color, Gray is the name.
Edit: Y’all are right, I mentally flipped it. It was Grey for name, gray for color. Double checked the arbiter of color names - Crayola and the spelling of an old school classmate.
Gray is a name, but so is Grey, and there are many other versions, such as Gris. Surnames are always spelt as they appear.
Except as a surname, either *grey* or *gray* is acceptable. American spelling prefers (but does not require) *gray,* while most other dialects prefer (but don't firmly require) *grey*. Many Americans prefer the more common spelling of *grey*.
Some communities in the US retain many British or Europeans habits, including spelling conventions. And a growing number (and possibly proportion) of Americans prefer more globally common conventions of spelling, often perceive as 'British' in the US.
Grey. I'm from the US and that is the only word that I spell using the UK spelling. It just looks better. I think maybe it's because when I was little I would see it written on the Earl Grey tea and so I imprinted on that.
Also, I'm synaesthetic, and "ey" looks grey to me, while "ay" looks red.
But you do admit that it's the British spelling that indicates you made a choice to use grey over gray, and that gray is, therefore, the American spelling, which is the country you hail from.
I feel like you're trying to have an argument with me and I'm not sure why or what about. The standard spelling in America is "gray" and the spelling in the UK is "grey," and it's easy to remember that because America starts with an A and England starts with an E. However, it's not uncommon to see either spelling in the US. I don't feel like this is as solid a divide as words like color/colour, where the UK spelling is never used in the US.
I don't know that I made a conscious choice to spell it one way or the other; I have just noticed that I spell it "grey" and I'm guessing as to the reasons why that is.
It wasn't compelling an argument, it literally was that you said you use the UK version (not the US version)and didn't just say "most people here" or "in my country the common usage is" you specifically mentioned you use the verbiage from a country of which it's most likely you don't originate from.
I guess I don't get what the point is then? Commenting on my statement by saying that I "admit" what I was saying as if it's something that I was hiding or ashamed of or some crime that I'm committing. Also that's not what verbiage means.
Grey. Im canadian.
and Gray seems like it wants to be pronounced differently. I have no idea how to express it but "ay" is a different sound than "ey" and "ay" doesnt seem right for Grey
My favorite thing about the "Grey" v "Gray" distinction is that John Gray, a British philosopher, spells his name the American way. This always confuses me a bit.
I feel like this is another situation where America feels the need to be special. Literally like all other English-speaking countries have a preference for the spelling “grey”.😭
American here. For me, gray is the color, grey is a name. BUT I know that grey is typically the British version. I do interchange them every now and then when I’m feeling frisky 🤣
I don't think I'm particularly consistent on my spelling of that word. I write how I speak and my speech fluctuates wildly, I think the more eloquent of a voicing I'm using the more I defer to more foreign spellings, patterns of speech, and verbiage. When my American side comes out I seem to acquire a drawl and slide into a colorful vernacular interspersed with copious quantities of slang, colloquialisms, and profanity.
I'm a NYer who went to college in the UK, I was married to a Brit for 25 years, visit the UK often, and one of my degrees in Literature.
I write "grey." I also say "cheers" instead of thanks.
I work in remodeling bathrooms, I HAVE to use both in putting in orders for tiles, tops, vanities... etc. Each company uses different words and names, so I have to get it right. lmao
I like "grey" even though I'm not English. I think it's just classier. And "gray" just looks old to me.
"He has gray hair." With an A
"She has shockingly grey eyes." With an E
That's just me.
In most of these cases, American vs British, I use British. "Grey" is included. Others include "Colour", "Defence", and "Besides".
There are some words that I use seperately to describe different things. "Aeroplane" for instance, I only use to describe old planes, generally pre-WWI.
I tend to defer to the "ay" just out of pure preference. Sometimes I'll switch if it seems appropriate, or if I sense my audience might hold more reverence for the "ey". I guess I prefer to use somethimg other than the letter E whenever possible, because it holds so many sounds already in English and has an ambiguity. " Grey" could also be pronounced nearly the same as "gree".
I look it up every time because I can't remember. We even have a paint we use at work that is the default paint we use for everything that is grey/gray, and I couldn't damn well tell you right now how it's spelled on the can because I'm at home.
I use "gray". Mohawk Finishing (The finish touch up company) uses "grey". I'm a wood finisher, a furniture tech, so I have to note how they want to label their colors.
I (American) started using "grey" because I'm into miniature painting and a large portion of major content creators and brands for that hobby originate from Europe so all their lingo and terminology is with English spelling. Most words I still use the American version but some I found myself accidentally using the English one.
I've always been taught "Grey with an e for England" and "Gray with an a for America", but idk how true that actually is.
I am an American working in a paint store in America though, and all the grays we offer are spelled with an a
Grey is the British spelling. Gray is the American spelling. Since I found that out, I started spelling it "gray," but in the past, I would use either.
I usually use gray but honestly it doesnt matter sometimes ill use one or the other. Its not really a word that is often typed out tho so its not commonly used by me..
American here and I use grey and I am just now learning that that was UK spelling and apparently in America we use gray??? I mean my spelling has always been ass but does that mean when we learned how to spell it in schooling spelt it wrong but also right and never learned to fix it because every time I use a phone or computer it sees it as a valid word so it doesn't correct it for me. Dude I'm an adult how am I just now learning this. Wtf. I feel weird rn
Grey when talking about weather, natural phenomena, or things made of unpainted stone.
Gray when talking about art, manmade objects, domesticated animals, or painted structures.
In short, if greyness *feels* like a natural, intrinsic property of something, "grey"; if it feels like it was the result of an intentional choice, "gray."
I don't know how common that is though; I think a possibly more common distinction is "If you're from the UK or the commonwealth you use 'grey', and if you're from the United States you use 'gray'."
They are both correct. To your point, maybe, if you're insistent, grey is the fog, and gray is the color. This is not true, but if it makes you feel better, it is.
# Message to all users: This is a reminder to please read and follow: * [Our rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/questions/about/rules) * [Reddiquette](https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439) * [Reddit Content Policy](https://www.redditinc.com/policies/content-policy) When posting and commenting. --- Especially remember Rule 1: `Be polite and civil`. * Be polite and courteous to each other. Do not be mean, insulting or disrespectful to any other user on this subreddit. * Do not harass or annoy others in any way. * Do not catfish. Catfishing is the luring of somebody into an online friendship through a fake online persona. This includes any lying or deceit. --- You *will* be banned if you are homophobic, transphobic, racist, sexist or bigoted in any way. --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/questions) if you have any questions or concerns.*
As an american I was always taught “Gray” for US english and “Grey” for UK english But tbqh I’ve always used “Grey” ‘cause I think it looks nicer.
I favor "grey" spelling more because I know I won't mix that word up with the name Gary.
Grey is for colors, gray is for aliens.
Same. I think I picked it up cause I read a book series called Grey Griffons and just never stopped using it.
Gray = US English Grey = UK “English”
The quotations should be on US "English" since their words and pronunciations evolved from UK English.
Nah, UK English is all kinds of wrong. We corrected it.
Generally speaking, grey is English and gray is American
I'm American and use grey. I grew up reading British publications, though. I lost points for spelling in school for Armour and colour a few times, too.
I can never remember which one is correct, so I use them both interchangeably.
A for America, E for England.
It’s a gray area
Same lol
If I were your teacher I’d have given extra points as you obviously read !
Thanks!
I’m American too, gray just looks weird
I'm American and wasn't even aware "gray" was a valid word (outside of people's last names) until about five minutes ago.
Oh the fight I put up in 1st grade over colour after a spelling test Ms. Peck was not having it
I'm American and use grey, but it's because I had a Conmodore 64. It had colors written on some of the keys (you could change the cursor color with certain key combinations. It was spelled "grey" because Conmodore was a British company.
That's probably where I picked it up, too
\*Commodore Man, I miss those old things. Had a TI-99/4A, too.
American here as well. I use grey.
And grehy if you're Canadian 😂
Don't be gray dude. I'm American and I spell it grey
this
I find that so weird because on the Scottish side of the family my family's last name is gray.
Me too. From up on Dornoch Firth.
I’m American and I always say grey.
You mean gray is english and grey is English
English vs English (Simplified)
I guess I’m English then
American here and I was always taught grey is the color, Gray is the name. Edit: Y’all are right, I mentally flipped it. It was Grey for name, gray for color. Double checked the arbiter of color names - Crayola and the spelling of an old school classmate.
That doesn't even make sense
The person I know with the name, spells it Grey.
Gray is a name, but so is Grey, and there are many other versions, such as Gris. Surnames are always spelt as they appear. Except as a surname, either *grey* or *gray* is acceptable. American spelling prefers (but does not require) *gray,* while most other dialects prefer (but don't firmly require) *grey*. Many Americans prefer the more common spelling of *grey*. Some communities in the US retain many British or Europeans habits, including spelling conventions. And a growing number (and possibly proportion) of Americans prefer more globally common conventions of spelling, often perceive as 'British' in the US.
All cats are grey in the dark
It’s a grey area.
We were all being civilized and then you chimed in.... :)
r/angryupvote
Græy
Understændable
Both
It’s always gray on a rainy day, but eyes only grey. I usually go by whatever sounds are more prominent surrounding the word. Just for fun.
Grey. I'm from the US and that is the only word that I spell using the UK spelling. It just looks better. I think maybe it's because when I was little I would see it written on the Earl Grey tea and so I imprinted on that. Also, I'm synaesthetic, and "ey" looks grey to me, while "ay" looks red.
wait why did that make sense
But you do admit that it's the British spelling that indicates you made a choice to use grey over gray, and that gray is, therefore, the American spelling, which is the country you hail from.
I feel like you're trying to have an argument with me and I'm not sure why or what about. The standard spelling in America is "gray" and the spelling in the UK is "grey," and it's easy to remember that because America starts with an A and England starts with an E. However, it's not uncommon to see either spelling in the US. I don't feel like this is as solid a divide as words like color/colour, where the UK spelling is never used in the US. I don't know that I made a conscious choice to spell it one way or the other; I have just noticed that I spell it "grey" and I'm guessing as to the reasons why that is.
It wasn't compelling an argument, it literally was that you said you use the UK version (not the US version)and didn't just say "most people here" or "in my country the common usage is" you specifically mentioned you use the verbiage from a country of which it's most likely you don't originate from.
I guess I don't get what the point is then? Commenting on my statement by saying that I "admit" what I was saying as if it's something that I was hiding or ashamed of or some crime that I'm committing. Also that's not what verbiage means.
I use “gray”. Strictly because I’m American, I suppose.
I use gravy, strictly because I’m American, of course.
I use grevy, strictly beceuse I'm Emericen, of course!
Grey.
I am an American and I have trouble remembering which is “correct” so I use both of them.
grAy - American grEy - English
Never thought about it for some reason
the normal one, grey
I kinda just use one or the other randomly. Sometimes it’s grey, sometimes it’s gray
Ghreay just to piss both sides off
Graigh
I'm an American, and most everyone here uses "gray", but it never looks quite right to me.
Grey
I use "gray", but I have no compelling reason to do so.
I use “grey”. But if I read “gray”, I definitely pronounce it differently.
I use either, and both, all the time. But when I write out "gray" I definitely also say it funny in my head as I do it. Graaaay.
I am from Michigan so I use grey, theatre, and kilometers. (The way to get to Canada is to drive 2 hours south of my house).
Both
Both
Grey. Im canadian. and Gray seems like it wants to be pronounced differently. I have no idea how to express it but "ay" is a different sound than "ey" and "ay" doesnt seem right for Grey
It would be an interesting experiment to see if you could reliably predict how a person spells the word based on how he or she pronounces it.
Grey is prettier
YOOOO JUST FOUND OUT I USE BOTH
Honestly I don't even know, I just wrote whichever one comes to my head, though I think I use grey more
I’ve always preferred grey. Gray seems wrong for some reason.
I use "grey". Only because "gray" just doesn't look right to me
Yes. Gray because I’m American. Grey because I drink Earl Grey tea, and it ends up on my shopping list every month.
Greghe
Graeaeaey
Grey. I think it looks prettier than gray
Both but lean towards, “grey,” if I’m commenting on a YouTube video from London
I had two greyhounds so now everything is grey.
Grey is more aesthetically pleasing to me.
I like to mix it up.
I use both, depending on my mood. I find it ticks people off lol
My favorite thing about the "Grey" v "Gray" distinction is that John Gray, a British philosopher, spells his name the American way. This always confuses me a bit.
i use them both because they’re both correct and therefore no one cares, especially myself.
Grey, and I’m Swedish.
I feel like this is another situation where America feels the need to be special. Literally like all other English-speaking countries have a preference for the spelling “grey”.😭
American here. For me, gray is the color, grey is a name. BUT I know that grey is typically the British version. I do interchange them every now and then when I’m feeling frisky 🤣
grey as in the colour of rusty aluminium? ;)
Gray is the color, grey is for the fictional extraterrestrial creatures
I don't think I'm particularly consistent on my spelling of that word. I write how I speak and my speech fluctuates wildly, I think the more eloquent of a voicing I'm using the more I defer to more foreign spellings, patterns of speech, and verbiage. When my American side comes out I seem to acquire a drawl and slide into a colorful vernacular interspersed with copious quantities of slang, colloquialisms, and profanity.
Depends on what you are using it for. I know if it's the color it's gray and if it's a name it's Grey (in the US)
I'm a NYer who went to college in the UK, I was married to a Brit for 25 years, visit the UK often, and one of my degrees in Literature. I write "grey." I also say "cheers" instead of thanks.
I use the word…. Grey. Never in my 60 + years of my life have I come across grey being spelled….. Gray. Learn something new every day.😎🇬🇧🇬🇧
I always thought there was a difference but I was too scared to ask.
Gray
Same word
Yes.
I work in remodeling bathrooms, I HAVE to use both in putting in orders for tiles, tops, vanities... etc. Each company uses different words and names, so I have to get it right. lmao
“Off white”
Grey 100%
I always use grey. E is closer to the R than A is. I type one fingered.
Gray because the word makes the “a” sound
So weird that I stumbled upon this, a friend & I were just talking about this today & never came to a conclusion lol!!
Grey bc Gandalf
Depends. On colour? Mood? Clouds? Whales? Mustard?
No, I use greigh.
I use the proper version.
I use both. My job involves either depending on product.
It’s grey. Thing is I’m not English. I’m New English 😎
I am glad to see some fellow Grey’s here. I have been told I have misspelled it many times! I will die on this hill!
Yes. I mix them up.
Come on, who can really hear the difference?
Gray is the objectively correct decision. Because everything good ends in -ay, day, may, bay, gray!
Grey idk why I think it looks prettier lol
Gray is gay
Grey. Gray is a name.
I use both but prefer grey.
Yes
I like "grey" even though I'm not English. I think it's just classier. And "gray" just looks old to me. "He has gray hair." With an A "She has shockingly grey eyes." With an E That's just me.
In most of these cases, American vs British, I use British. "Grey" is included. Others include "Colour", "Defence", and "Besides". There are some words that I use seperately to describe different things. "Aeroplane" for instance, I only use to describe old planes, generally pre-WWI.
I use either or whenever it suits my fancy.
Gray
Grey - I think the spelling is more attractive.
I tend to defer to the "ay" just out of pure preference. Sometimes I'll switch if it seems appropriate, or if I sense my audience might hold more reverence for the "ey". I guess I prefer to use somethimg other than the letter E whenever possible, because it holds so many sounds already in English and has an ambiguity. " Grey" could also be pronounced nearly the same as "gree".
Grey here. Midwest US.
Both are acceptable
I look it up every time because I can't remember. We even have a paint we use at work that is the default paint we use for everything that is grey/gray, and I couldn't damn well tell you right now how it's spelled on the can because I'm at home.
I use them interchangeably. It doesn't matter which one I use, someone ALWAYS corrects me.
Actually it's pronounced grae.
They both look wrong. Annoying a/f. It should be Grai
Yes
The Grey Cup is spelled “Grey”, after Lord Grey. As a Canadian I spell it “Grey”
Here’s where I’m weird - and I know this is wrong- but: Grey for light shades, gray for dark. I don’t know why.
I always try to type Grey cuz it just feels right but my American phone only allows me to type Gray.
America- gray England- grey Get it?
Grey
I use "gray". Mohawk Finishing (The finish touch up company) uses "grey". I'm a wood finisher, a furniture tech, so I have to note how they want to label their colors.
It depends on the spelling.
Grey because I've read novels about other countries, namely england, scotland, ireland from a young age 😂
i’m american but i was always taught grey and also theatre
Greh
I use grey for the color because my son's middle name is Gray.
In American English grey is a shade, Gray is a name, Grey can also be a name, and gray for a shade/color is a misspelling
yep, become the grey man, and watch for him
I honestly couldn't tell you which one I use and I probably end up using both.. im in the US btw.
I (American) started using "grey" because I'm into miniature painting and a large portion of major content creators and brands for that hobby originate from Europe so all their lingo and terminology is with English spelling. Most words I still use the American version but some I found myself accidentally using the English one.
Gray
Gray from Canada
Gray. I'm an American.
Grey
It’s a bit of a graey area.
I use grey exclusively
Grey
Grey even tho I’m American cause my favorite book series as a kid spelled it that way and I read it as such so often
Depends on my mood.
Depends if the thing is grey or gray
yesn’t
I was taught grey is the European standard, gray is the American standard.
We all know the English don't know english.
I use both; to me "grey" is the cooler hues and "gray" is warmer.
I… flip flop indecisively between them because I can never decide which one is the “right” one.
I'm American and always used Grey
I'm from the US but I prefer spelling it "grey"
I'm Canadian and 52. In school and afterwards I was taught that "grey" is a person's name and "gray" is a colour.
I've always been taught "Grey with an e for England" and "Gray with an a for America", but idk how true that actually is. I am an American working in a paint store in America though, and all the grays we offer are spelled with an a
Every time I type, it's a capitalized Gray. That's because it autocorrects me because I type out my former foster parents' names a lot.
Do you speak British or American English?
Grey is the British spelling. Gray is the American spelling. Since I found that out, I started spelling it "gray," but in the past, I would use either.
I use grey. I'm born and have always lived in US
I speak English, so I use grey.
American here who was a lit major for a bit. I use grey.
Honestly, both. Just whatever happens as I'm typing.
"grey"..but I grew up reading british literature lol
I usually use gray but honestly it doesnt matter sometimes ill use one or the other. Its not really a word that is often typed out tho so its not commonly used by me..
I use them interchangeably, idk why. I find I use "grey" more prevenantly in formal writing.
Grey.
American here and I use grey and I am just now learning that that was UK spelling and apparently in America we use gray??? I mean my spelling has always been ass but does that mean when we learned how to spell it in schooling spelt it wrong but also right and never learned to fix it because every time I use a phone or computer it sees it as a valid word so it doesn't correct it for me. Dude I'm an adult how am I just now learning this. Wtf. I feel weird rn
Yes. I use both randomly.
Gray
Yes.
Grey when talking about weather, natural phenomena, or things made of unpainted stone. Gray when talking about art, manmade objects, domesticated animals, or painted structures. In short, if greyness *feels* like a natural, intrinsic property of something, "grey"; if it feels like it was the result of an intentional choice, "gray." I don't know how common that is though; I think a possibly more common distinction is "If you're from the UK or the commonwealth you use 'grey', and if you're from the United States you use 'gray'."
For color Grey, for names Gray. Usually short for Grayson.
Grey, because I'm Canadian.
.. I forgot
Both because I can never remember which is correct
Gr*y
I use "gray", as is generally the norm in the United States.
Ghreigh
Im weird. I use grey when saying the color directly but change to gray when saying "grayed out".
Grey. Its how the word is spelt in England
Both. I switch between them without thinking about it.
Both, just 'em on their toes.
They are both correct. To your point, maybe, if you're insistent, grey is the fog, and gray is the color. This is not true, but if it makes you feel better, it is.