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With tools like spell check and the wonderful Grammarly, most of us have installed on our browsers, it is typically easy to recognize a spelling mistake these days. However, there are still some misspelled words that get past. You’d be surprised how some of the most commonly misspelled words are actually quite simple, but they trip people up. Here are the top eight. Are you misspelling these words?
1. Accommodate
“Accommodate” is a classic offender when it comes to spelling mistakes. People often forget whether it has one “c” or two “m”s—or both. The correct version, with double “c” and double “m,” is tricky because it doesn’t follow a typical spelling rule. This word’s Latin origin contributes to its confusing construction. Since it’s used in both casual and professional settings, it’s a good one to master. Think of it like this: to accommodate someone, you need to make room, just like the word makes room for extra letters.
2. Definitely
“Definitely” is often incorrectly written as “definately” or “defiantly.” The confusion typically comes from how it’s pronounced. Many people type it the way they hear it, replacing the middle “i” with an “a.” This word is especially tricky for students and fast typists alike. It helps to remember it comes from the root word “finite.” Knowing that can make the rest of the spelling click.
3. Separate
“Separate” trips up people because of its sneaky middle “a.” It’s frequently misspelled as “seperate,” likely because the pronunciation doesn’t emphasize the “a.” This mistake is common in both academic and business writing. An easy trick is to remember that there’s “a rat” in “separate.” Once that visual sticks, it becomes easier to get it right. Repeating it correctly in your head while typing also helps reinforce the spelling.
4. February
This one is a classic calendar-related mistake. Most people pronounce it “Feb-yoo-ary,” which leads them to drop the first “r” when spelling. But the correct spelling keeps that “r” right after the “b.” It’s silent when spoken, but very present in writing. Try pronouncing it slowly as “Feb-ru-ary” when writing it down. That extra syllable will remind you of the hidden letter.
5. Receipt
“Receipt” messes with people due to that silent “p.” Since we don’t hear it, it’s easy to forget it’s there. The confusion comes from the word’s old French roots. Many people spell it as “reciept” or even “receet,” both of which are incorrect. One memory trick is “there’s a ‘p’ in ‘receipt’ like there’s a price in a purchase.” It’s strange, but it works.
6. Occurrence
“Occurrence” is a trap of double letters and uncertainty. Some mistakenly write it as “occurence” or “ocurrence,” leaving out necessary letters. The correct version has two “c”s and two “r”s. It helps to break it down: “oc-cur-ren-ce.” Saying it slowly reinforces where the repeating letters go. This word often shows up in reports and essays, so it’s worth memorizing.
7. Embarrass
“Embarrass” is another double-letter troublemaker. People often write it with one “r” or one “s,” which is incorrect. The correct spelling has two “r”s and two “s”s. Think of it as being “embarrassed” twice—that’s why it needs extra letters! It can be a real confidence-buster to get this one wrong in a formal context. To avoid embarrassment, double-check your spelling.
8. Conscience
“Conscience” is often confused with “conscious,” though the two have different meanings and spellings. Its spelling throws people off due to its odd combination of “sci.” Many incorrectly spell it “consciense” or “consious.” It helps to remember that it comes from the Latin “con” (with) and “science” (knowledge). Breaking it into those two parts—con + science—makes it easier to recall. Don’t let this moral compass of a word lead you astray!
Spelling Smart in a Spellcheck World
Despite all of the technology in place to help us with spelling, people still frequently get these words wrong. Even experienced writers get them wrong at times. So, if you’re using any of these eight commonly misspelled words, double-check to make sure you’re getting it right. You never know, you might catch an error hiding on the page.
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Drew Blankenship is a former Porsche technician who writes and develops content full-time. He lives in North Carolina, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. While Drew no longer gets his hands dirty modifying Porsches, he still loves motorsport and avidly watches Formula 1.