Have you ever typed favor and then paused, wondering if it should be favour instead? You’re not alone. This is one of the most searched spelling questions in English.
Writers, students, bloggers, and professionals all face this confusion especially when switching between American and British English.
The problem is simple: both spellings are correct, but they are used in different parts of the world. If you use the wrong one, your writing may look unprofessional or inconsistent.
This matters in emails, academic work, content, and even social media posts.
People search for “favor or favour” because they want a fast answer, clear rules, and real examples. They want to know which spelling fits their audience and why English even has two versions of the same word.
This guide solves that confusion. You’ll get a quick answer, word history, spelling rules, examples, common mistakes, and usage advice based on your audience.
By the end, you’ll know exactly when to use favor and when to use favour with confidence.
Favor or Favour – Quick Answer
Both “favor” and “favour” are correct spellings.
- Favor → American English
Example: Please do me a favor. - Favour → British English
Example: Could you do me a favour?
The meaning is the same in both cases:
- A kind act
- Support or approval
- Preference
The difference is spelling only, not meaning or pronunciation.
The Origin of Favor or Favour
The word comes from the Latin word favor, meaning kindness or goodwill. It later moved into Old French as faveur.
When English borrowed the word, it kept the -our ending, which was common in British spelling. So favour became standard in Britain.
In the early 1800s, American lexicographer Noah Webster wanted to simplify English spelling. He removed silent letters to make words easier to learn and spell. That’s why American English dropped the “u” from many words.
Examples:
- Colour → Color
- Honour → Honor
- Favour → Favor
That’s how we ended up with two accepted spellings.
Read More.IE or EG: Learn the Difference and Use Them Today
British English vs American English Spelling
The main rule is simple:
- British English keeps “-our”
- American English drops the “u”
Examples
- British: favour, colour, labour, honour
- American: favor, color, labor, honor
Comparison Table
| British English | American English |
| favour | favor |
| colour | color |
| honour | honor |
| labour | labor |
| neighbour | neighbor |
Both forms are correct. The key is consistency.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Your choice depends on your audience.
Use Favor if:
- You are writing for the United States
- Your audience is American
- You follow US style guides (APA, MLA, Chicago – US edition)
Use Favour if:
- You are writing for the UK
- Your audience is in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa
- You follow British or Commonwealth English
For a Global Audience
- Pick one spelling and use it everywhere
- Match your brand or website language
- Do not mix both in the same document
Common Mistakes with Favor or Favour
Here are mistakes many writers make:
❌ Mixing spellings
Incorrect:
Please do me a favour and return the favor.
Correct:
Please do me a favour and return the favour.
or
Please do me a favor and return the favor.
❌ Thinking one spelling is wrong
Both spellings are correct, just regional.
❌ Changing spelling inside quotes
If you quote British text, keep favour.
If you quote American text, keep favor.
Favor or Favour in Everyday Examples
Emails
- American:
Can you do me a favor and review this file? - British:
Could you do me a favour and review this file?
News Writing
- US News:
The policy was passed in favor of public safety. - UK News:
The policy was passed in favour of public safety.
Social Media
- American:
Do me a favor and like this post. - British:
Do me a favour and share this post.
Formal Writing
- American:
The decision was made in favor of the proposal. - British:
The decision was made in favour of the proposal.
Favor or Favour – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search data shows clear regional patterns:
- Favor is most popular in:
- United States
- Philippines
- Countries using American English
- Favour is most popular in:
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Australia
- India
- Pakistan
Globally, both are widely searched. Neither spelling hurts SEO if used correctly for the target audience.
Favor vs Favour – Comparison Table
| Feature | Favor (US) | Favour (UK) |
| Correct spelling | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Meaning difference | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Used in America | ✅ Yes | ❌ Rare |
| Used in Britain | ❌ Rare | ✅ Yes |
| SEO friendly | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
FAQs About Favor or Favour
1. Is “favor” American English?
Yes. Favor is the standard American spelling.
2. Is “favour” British English?
Yes. Favour is used in British and Commonwealth English.
3. Do favor and favour mean the same thing?
Yes. The meaning is exactly the same.
4. Can I use both in one article?
No. Choose one spelling and stay consistent.
5. Which spelling is correct for IELTS?
Use favour, as IELTS follows British English.
6. Which spelling should I use for SEO?
Use the spelling your target audience searches for.
7. Is “in favor of” or “in favour of” correct?
Both are correct—choose based on region.
Conclusion
The debate between favor or favour is not about right or wrong. It’s about where and who you are writing for. Both spellings share the same meaning, pronunciation, and usage. The only difference is regional spelling rules.
If your audience is in the United States, favor is the clear choice. If you are writing for the UK or Commonwealth countries, favour is correct. For global content, consistency matters more than the spelling itself.
Understanding this difference helps your writing look polished, professional, and trustworthy. It also improves clarity, SEO performance, and reader confidence. Once you know the rule, the confusion disappears.
Mark Nichol is an English language writer and editor.
He focuses on spelling confusion, word comparisons, and clear usage rules.
