Have you ever typed “trailor” and wondered if it’s right? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. A lot of people mix up “trailer” and “trailor” without realizing only one of them is actually correct. I’m here to break it all down in a simple way that even a 12-year-old can understand. As someone who writes and edits professionally, I’ve seen this spelling mistake more times than I can count—and I’ll tell you how to never mess it up again.
What Does "Trailer" Mean?
A "trailer" is something that follows behind. You’ve probably seen one hitched to a truck carrying a car or boxes. It can also mean a short video that shows clips of a movie or TV show before it’s released. Both of these meanings use the word “trailer”—never “trailor.”
Is "Trailor" a Real Word?
No, “trailor” is not a real word. It’s just a common misspelling of “trailer.” You won’t find it in any trusted dictionary. People might use it by accident, especially when typing fast or hearing the word and guessing the spelling.
Why Do People Confuse the Two?
The words “trailer” and “trailor” sound the same when spoken out loud. That’s why a lot of folks type the wrong version. The -or ending makes it look like a real word, but it’s not. Just remember: if it has wheels or plays movies, it’s spelled with an -er.
Quick Tip:
When in doubt, think of a “movie trailer.” That’s a common phrase, and it’s always spelled “trailer”—with an "e" before the "r".
How Spelling Impacts Search Engines
If you’re writing online and use the word “trailor,” it could hurt your article's chance of showing up on Google. Search engines prioritize correct spelling and grammar. So if you’re working on a blog, post, or even a tweet, using “trailer” correctly is key.
"When I first started blogging, I accidentally used 'trailor' in my article. A reader corrected me—and it hasn’t happened since." – ZYZ
How to Remember the Right Spelling
Here’s a simple memory trick: “trailer” ends with “-er” like “driver” or “rider”—someone or something that goes along. That way, it’s easier to remember it has the -er ending instead of -or.
Examples of Correct and Incorrect Usage
Correct: I rented a trailer to haul furniture.
Incorrect: I rented a trailor to haul furniture.
Correct: That horror movie trailer was scary.
Incorrect: That horror movie trailor was scary.
How “Trailer” Is Used in Movies
In the movie world, a “trailer” is a short video that shows cool scenes before a movie comes out. It helps people get excited about the movie. Again, this is always spelled “trailer”—never “trailor.” Film editors and studios all use this term.
“Trailer vs Trailor” in Writing
Whether you’re writing an essay, a blog post, or a YouTube title, getting this right shows you care about good grammar. Even small mistakes can make a big difference. If your audience sees “trailor,” they might think you don’t know what you're talking about.
Key Benefits of Spelling “Trailer” Correctly:
- Improves your writing quality
- Boosts your online SEO rankings
- Shows professionalism and attention to detail
- Makes your content easier to trust
What About “Follow Up” or “Follow-Up”?
Just like with “trailer,” people get confused with “follow up” and “follow-up.” Here’s the difference: “follow-up” (with a hyphen) is a noun or adjective. “Follow up” (no hyphen) is a verb. For example, “We had a follow-up call” vs “I will follow up tomorrow.”
Final Thoughts from an Expert
I’ve worked in editing for over 10 years, and the mistake I see most often is people writing “trailor.” It may seem small, but correcting it can help your content look cleaner and smarter. Just like learning to spell “definitely” or “separate” correctly, “trailer” is a word worth mastering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is "trailor" ever used in American English?
No, “trailor” is not used in any form of English. It’s simply a spelling mistake.
Q: Why do people spell it "trailor"?
Because it sounds the same when spoken, and the -or ending seems familiar from other words.
Q: Is it “follow-up” or “follow up”?
Use “follow-up” with a hyphen when it’s a noun/adjective, and “follow up” without a hyphen when it’s a verb.
Q: What does a trailer do?
It either shows a movie preview or carries things behind a vehicle like a car or bike.
Q: Can I use “trailor” in creative writing?
Only if you’re naming a character or brand. Otherwise, it’s always “trailer.”
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