Commonly Misspelled English Words and Tips to Get Them Right

Spelling in English can be tricky, even for native speakers. With its many rules and exceptions, it’s no wonder that certain words are frequently misspelled. Whether you’re writing an email, an essay, or a text message, using correct spelling can make a big difference in how your message is perceived. In this blog post, we’ll explore 10 commonly misspelled English words and offer helpful tips for remembering how to spell them correctly.

1. Accommodate

This word is often misspelled as “accomodate” or “acommodate.” The key here is to remember that it has two Cs and two Ms. One trick is to think of accommodating two people, so you need two of each letter.

2. Definitely

Many people misspell this word as “definately” or “defiantly.” The correct spelling is “definitely” with an “i” after the “n.” A good mnemonic is “I will definitely get it right this time!”

3. Separate

“Separate” is often misspelled as “seperate.” To remember the correct spelling, think of the word “apart” — “separate” has a similar sound and shares the same “a” in the middle.

4. Occasionally

This word is often written as “occassionally” or “ocasionaly.” The trick is to remember that there are two Cs and one S. You can think of the word “occasion” and just add “ally” to it.

5. Embarrassment

A common mistake with this word is dropping one of the "r"s or "s"s, resulting in “embarassment” or “embarass.” Keep in mind that the word has two R’s and two S’s. A helpful reminder is to picture a moment of embarrassment and think of all the extra “r’s” and “s’s” you need.

6. Receive

Many people mistakenly spell it “recieve” by confusing the "I before E except after C" rule. Remember that “i” comes before “e,” except when the sound is “ay.” You can use the mnemonic “I before E, except after C” to avoid this mistake.

7. Occurred

Some people add extra letters to this word, writing “occurred” as “occured” or “occurred” with an extra “r.” Remember that “occurred” has two R’s and two C’s, so be sure to double up on both.

8. Restaurant

It’s easy to make mistakes with this tricky word, often spelling it “resturant” or “resteraunt.” The correct spelling is “restaurant.” You can break it into syllables — rest-au-rant — to make it easier to remember.

9. A lot

This is often written as “alot,” but “a lot” is actually two separate words. There’s no need for the combined version — just keep it simple: “a lot” means a large amount, while “alot” doesn’t exist in standard English.

10. Maintenance

“Maintenance” is often misspelled as “maintainance” or “maintenence.” The correct form is “maintenance.” A helpful tip to remember is that “maintenance” has the word “tain” in it, like “maintain.”

Conclusion

Mastering the art of spelling may take time, but with a bit of practice and the right strategies, anyone can improve. By understanding the common pitfalls and using memory tricks for frequently misspelled words, you can boost both your confidence and credibility in writing. Remember, spelling is more than just a technical skill—it’s an essential part of clear communication. So the next time you come across a tricky word, take a moment to pause and recall these helpful tips. With persistence and attention to detail, you’ll be well on your way to spelling success!