Cheque vs Check
What’s the difference between them?
Cheque
Meaning:
a written document that instructs a bank to pay a specific amount of money from a person's account to the person or entity whose name is mentioned on the cheque.
Examples:
1. I paid for my groceries with a cheque.
2. The customer wrote a cheque for the total amount.
3. Please deposit this cheque into my bank account.
Check
Meaning:
Meaning is the same, but such spelling is mostly used in American English.
Examples:
1. I need to check the mail before I leave for the day.
2. I'm going to check to make sure the stove is off before I leave the house.
3. Can you check to see if the item is in stock?
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cheque
bill
bond
There are no direct antonyms for this word.
Check
bill
bond
There are no direct antonyms for this word.
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Cheque", "Check".
1. Cheque is the spelling for the word used in British English.
2. Check is the spelling used in American English.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When to use the first word?
The word ‘cheque’ is mainly used to refer to a financial document issued by a bank or other financial institution that allows the sender to make payments to a third party. It is typically used in British English.
When to use the second word?
The word ‘cheque’ is mainly used to refer to a financial document issued by a bank or other financial institution that allows the sender to make payments to a third party. It is typically used in American English.
Do the words have the same pronunciation?
The two words have a similar pronunciation, but the pronunciation of ‘check’ has a slightly sharper sound than that of ‘cheque’. The pronunciation of ‘cheque’ is often transcribed as ‘cheek’, while ‘check’ is pronounced as ‘check’.
What are common mistakes associated with words 'cheque' and 'check'?
One of the most common mistakes associated with the words ‘cheque’ and ‘check’ is the confusion between the two in different regions.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. I need to ___ if I have enough milk in the refrigerator.
2. She handed me a ___ for $500 as payment for the furniture.
3. Before leaving the house, always ___ that the doors are locked.
4. At the bank, he requested a ___ book for his new account.
5. Could you please ___ the total amount again? It seems a bit high.
6. After winning the lottery, he decided to donate a large ___ to charity.
1. check
Explanation: This sentence is referring to the act of verifying or inspecting something. In both American and British English, check is the appropriate word.
2. cheque
Explanation: The context of the sentence implies a financial transaction. While check is the American term, the general context does not specifically suggest American English. Cheque is the British spelling, and given no specific American context, its the correct choice.
3. check
Explanation: The sentence refers to the act of ensuring or verifying that something has been done. Check is the appropriate word in both American and British English for this context.
4. cheque
Explanation: A cheque book is a book of blank checks/cheques. Given the European spelling of book instead of the more American checkbook, cheque (British spelling) is the appropriate choice.
5. check
Explanation: This is referring to the act of verifying a certain amount. The word check is appropriate in both American and British English in this context.
6. cheque
Explanation: Here, the context is about donating a financial instrument. While check is used in American English, the general context does not specifically suggest American English, making cheque (the British term) the correct choice.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.