Spelling

Overview

Spelling means putting letters in the correct order to form words. Proper spelling makes writing clear and professional, while poor spelling can distract readers and hurt your credibility.

Sounding out words

Many words can be spelled by listening to the sounds and writing down the matching letters. Still, some words don’t follow rules, so practice is important.

• Example: cat, nap, dog (spelled just as they sound).

Common spelling rules

Learn the basic rules that apply to many words. For example: “i before e except after c” or “drop the silent e before adding -ing.”

• Example: believe, receive, hoping (from hope + ing).

Prefixes and suffixes

When adding prefixes or suffixes, make sure not to accidentally change or lose letters.

Example: happy → happiness | mis + spell → misspell

Homophones (sound-alike words)

Some words sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. Using the wrong one can confuse your reader.

Example: their (possessive), there (place), they’re (they are).

Commonly misspelled words

English has tricky words that even strong writers misspell. Learning them helps improve accuracy.

Example: definitely (not definately), separate (not seperate).

Using a dictionary or spell-check

Always double-check words you’re unsure about. Online dictionaries and spell-check tools are helpful, but don’t rely on them 100%.

Example: If you type “occured,” spell-check will suggest “occurred.”

Proofreading carefully

Spelling mistakes are easy to miss. Reading your work slowly or aloud helps catch errors.

Example: Wrong: I will defiantly go. | Correct: I will definitely go.

Building your vocabulary

The more words you know, the easier spelling becomes. Reading often introduces you to correct spellings.

Example: Reading articles, books, and essays helps you remember how words like accommodate and maintenance are spelled.

Summary

Proper spelling means learning rules, paying attention to tricky words, and double-checking your writing. Sounding out words, knowing homophones, and proofreading carefully all help. Good spelling shows care and respect for your reader, making your writing clearer and more effective.