Which should you use, straight or strait? The adjective straight may mean without a bend or curve, honest and true, clear or not complicated, or in the correct position. The noun strait, often plural, may mean a narrow area of water that connects two larger areas of water. The plural noun straits means a difficult situation, especially because of financial problems.
| Incorrect: |
She never gave me a strait answer. |
| Correct: |
She never gave me a straight answer. |
| Incorrect: |
The company was in dire straights. |
| Correct: |
The company was in dire straits. |
