Rain is water that falls from clouds, reign is a period of rule, and a rein is a strap for guiding a horse. If you hear the word in an expression about freedom or control, picture the strap. Write free rein or rein in.
Rain, reign, and rein in sentences
- “Heavy rain flooded the footpath.” Rain can name the water or describe it falling, as in “It rained all morning.”
- “The bridge was built during the queen’s reign.” A reign is a period of rule. The verb reign means to rule.
- “Mara gathered the reins before the ride.” Reins help a rider guide a horse.
Use free rein and rein in
“The editor gave the illustrator free rein to choose the colors” means the illustrator could decide independently. Picture a rider loosening the reins to let the horse move freely. The royal sense of reign makes free reign a tempting spelling. The same riding image gives us rein in, meaning to restrain or bring under control, as in rein in spending.
Try it
“The board gave the designers free ___, then asked them to ___ in costs.”
Show the answer
Use rein in both blanks. Free rein means freedom to decide. Rein in means bring under control.
For another set of three words that sound alike, see Vain vs. Vein vs. Vane.
