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"Free reign": breaking the chains of common misuse
Reviewed and edited by 
Anwar Kareem 29/09/2024, 10:43
Anwar Kareem 29/09/2024, 10:43English.me team member
What kind of error is it?
It's a homophonic error, where a word is mistakenly replaced with another that sounds similar but has a different meaning.
Why do people make this mistake?
People make this error because "reign" and "rein" are homophones—words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. The phrase "free rein" involves imagery of loosening a horse's reins to allow it freedom of movement, but "reign" suggests control or rule, leading to confusion.
What is correct?
The correct phrase is "free rein," which refers to giving someone freedom to make decisions or act as they see fit, similar to how a rider gives a horse free rein.
Examples of correct usage
- The manager gave her team free rein to develop the project as they saw fit.
- Once the dog was out of the training phase, the owner gave it free rein in the yard.
- The director was given free rein to implement her artistic vision for the play.
Grammar
