Spelling Tips Free Rein or Free Reign

Spelling Tips Free Rein or Free Reign Spelling Tips: Free Rein or Free Reign? Today, we’re looking at one of the most commonly misspelled phrases in the English language: â€Å"free rein† and â€Å"free reign.† Both spellings are common, but the original (and technically correct) version is â€Å"free rein.† So why is this one correct? And what exactly does â€Å"free rein† mean? Let’s find out. The Origins of Free Rein The phrase â€Å"free rein† dates back to the seventeenth century. We use it to mean â€Å"give someone the freedom to do or say whatever they want†: The designers were given free rein to try new ideas. On a literal level, â€Å"reins† are the straps used to guide a horse. So to give someone â€Å"free rein† is to give them freedom in the same way that holding the reins loosely gives a horse freedom to move. This is also why we use the phrase â€Å"rein in† to mean â€Å"bring something under control.† Just trying reining me in, bozo. The Confusion: Rein vs. Reign Unfortunately, â€Å"rein† sounds exactly like â€Å"reign,† so they are easy to confuse. This second term can be either a noun or a verb, but in both cases refers to the rule of a king or queen. For instance, we could say: The reign of Queen Elizabeth II has been largely peaceful. King Henry VII reigned over England from 1485 to 1509. As a result, many people think the phrase about freedom is spelled â€Å"free reign.† This almost makes sense, as you could take the phrase to mean â€Å"the freedom to behave like a monarch.† Not all kings have much freedom, of course. Some can only move one space in any direction.(Photo: Michal Jarmoluk) Nevertheless, this spelling began as an error and many still consider it to be incorrect. As such, it is always better to write â€Å"free rein.† Free Rein or Free Reign? In formal writing, idioms can help you express yourself clearly and demonstrate your command of language. As such, although â€Å"free reign† is unlikely to cause confusion, â€Å"free rein† is still the correct spelling. To remember, keep the equestrian connection in mind. You will avoid errors as long as you recall that the â€Å"reins† in â€Å"free rein† are used to steer a horse. And if you need any help with your spelling, don’t forget to ask a proofreader.