Did you know that “draft” and “draught” sound the same? We won’t blame you if not, as “draught” is rarely used in American English. However, “draught” is common in other English dialects, including British English. And they use it for words we spell “draft.” Check out our tips below to find out how this works!
In the USA, “draft” can be a noun, verb, or adjective.
As a noun, its meanings include:
As a verb, we can use it to mean:
And as an adjective, it can mean:
Using the same spelling for all these senses makes it easy to remember! But, outside North America, people use “draught” for some of the definitions above instead. Let’s take a look at when this applies.
“Draught” is actually an older spelling than “draft,” and we still find it in British English and other dialects that borrow heavily from British English (e.g., Australian English). However, even in the UK, “draught” is only correct for certain uses. When discussing a “banker’s draft,” a “military draft,” or an initial version of something, the correct spelling is “draft,” just like in US English.
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The definitions to remember, then, are the following uses as a noun:
In addition, British English uses “draught” as an adjective in two cases:
The only time you may see “draught” used regularly in the USA is in relation to draught beer. Even then, though, the standard spelling for a drink served from a barrel in American English is “draft.”
In American English, this question is simple: You can use “draft” for all definitions of this word. This includes all noun, verb, and adjective uses, as “draught” is not typically used in North America.
However, in British English or similar dialects, “draught” is used:
And if you’re ever unsure whether you’ve used “draught” correctly – or need help with any other aspect of your writing – you can always upload a document for proofreading. We have experts in American and British English, so just let us know when dialect you want to use!
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