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100 Most Often Mispelled Words in English

A
acceptable
Several words made the list because of the suffix pronounced -êbl but sometimes spelled -ible, sometimes -able. Just remember to accept any table offered to you and you will spell this word OK.

accidentally
It is no accident that the test for adverbs on -ly is whether they come from an adjective on -al ("accidental" in this case). If so, the -al has to be in the spelling. No publical, then publicly.

accommodate
Remember, this word is large enough to accommodate both a double "c" AND a double "m".

acquire
Try to acquire the knowledge that this word and the next began with the prefix ad- but the [d] converts to [c] before [q].

acquit
See the previous discussion.

a lot
Two words! Hopefully, you won't have to allot a lot of time to this problem.

amateur
Amateurs need not be mature: this word ends on the French suffix -eur (the equivalent of English -er).

apparent
A parent need not be apparent but "apparent" must pay the rent, so remember this word always has the rent.

argument
Let's not argue about the loss of this verb's silent [e] before the suffix -ment.

atheist
Lord help you remember that this word comprises the prefix a- "not" + the "god" (also in the-ology) + -ist "one who believes."

B
believe
You must believe that [i] usually comes before [e] except after [c] or when it is pronounced like "a" as "neighbor" and "weigh" or "e" as in "their" and "heir." Also take a look at "foreign" below. (The "i-before-e" rule has more exceptions than words it applies to.)

bellwether
Often misspelled "bellweather." A wether is a gelded ram, chosen to lead the herd (thus his bell) due to the greater likelihood that he will remain at all times ahead of the ewes.

C
calendar
This word has an [e] between two [a]s. The last vowel is [a].

category
This word is not in a category with "catastrophe" even if it sounds like it: the middle letter is [e].

cemetery
Don't let this one bury you: it ends on -ery—nary an -ary in it. You already know it starts on [c], of course.

changeable
The verb "change" keeps its [e] here to indicate that the [g] is soft, not hard. (That is also why "judgement" is the correct spelling of this word, no matter what anyone says.)

collectible
Another -ible word. You just have to remember.

column
Silent final [e] is commonplace in English but a silent final [n] is not uncommon, especially after [m].

committed
If you are committed to correct spelling, you will remember that this word doubles its final [t] from "commit" to "committed."

conscience
Don't let misspelling this word weigh on your conscience: [ch] spelled "sc" is unusual but legitimate.

conscientious
Work on your spelling conscientiously and remember this word with [ch] spelled two different ways: "sc" and "ti". English spelling!

conscious
Try to be conscious of the "sc" [ch] sound and all the vowels in this word's ending and i-o-u a note of congratulations.

consensus
The census does not require a consensus, since they are not related.

D
daiquiri
Don't make yourself another daiquiri until you learn how to spell this funny word-the name of a Cuban village.

definite(ly)
This word definitely sounds as though it ends only on -it, but it carries a silent "e" everywhere it goes.

discipline
A little discipline, spelled with the [s] and the [c] will get you to the correct spelling of this one.

drunkenness
You would be surprised how many sober people omit one of the [n]s in this one.

dumbbell
Even smart people forget one of the [b]s in this one. (So be careful who you call one when you write.)

E
embarrass(ment)
This one won't embarrass you if you remember it is large enough for a double [r] AND a double [s].

equipment
This word is misspelled "equiptment" 22,932 times on the web right now.

exhilarate
Remembering that [h] when you spell this word will lift your spirits and if you remember both [a]s, it will be
exhilarating!

exceed
Remember that this one is -ceed, not -cede. (To exceed all expectations, master the spellings of this word, "precede" and "supersede" below.)

existence
No word like this one spelled with an [a] is in existence. This word is a menage a quatre of one [i] with three [e]s.

experience
Don't experience the same problem many have with "existence" above in this word: -ence!

F
fiery
The silent "e" on "fire" is also cowardly: it retreats inside the word rather than face the suffix -y.
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