100 Most Often Mispelled Misspelled Words in English
A
· acceptable
o 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
o 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
o Remember, this word is large enough to accommodate both a double "c" AND a double "m".
· acquire
o 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
o See the previous discussion.
· a lot
o Two words! Hopefully, you won't have to allot a lot of time to this problem.
· amateur
o Amateurs need not be mature: this word ends on the French suffix -eur (the equivalent of English -er).
· apparent
o A parent need not be apparent but "apparent" must pay the rent, so remember this word always has the rent.
· argument
o Let's not argue about the loss of this verb's silent [e] before the suffix -ment.
· atheist
o Lord help you remember that this word comprises the prefix a- "not" + the "god" (also in the-ology) + -ist "one who believes."
B
· believe
o 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
o 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
o This word has an [e] between two [a]s. The last vowel is [a].
· category
o This word is not in a category with "catastrophe" even if it sounds like it: the middle letter is [e].
· cemetery
o 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
o 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
o Another -ible word. You just have to remember.
· column
o Silent final [e] is commonplace in English but a silent final [n] is not uncommon, especially after [m].
· committed
o If you are committed to correct spelling, you will remember that this word doubles its final [t] from "commit" to "committed."
· conscience
o Don't let misspelling this word weigh on your conscience: [ch] spelled "sc" is unusual but legitimate.
· conscientious
o Work on your spelling conscientiously and remember this word with [ch] spelled two different ways: "sc" and "ti". English spelling!
· conscious
o 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.
o consensus The census does not require a consensus, since they are not related.
D
· daiquiri
o Don't make yourself another daiquiri until you learn how to spell this funny word-the name of a Cuban village.
· definite (ly)
o This word definitely sounds as though it ends only on -it, but it carries a silent "e" everywhere it goes.
· discipline
o A little discipline, spelled with the [s] and the [c] will get you to the correct spelling of this one.
· drunkenness
o You would be surprised how many sober people omit one of the [n]s in this one.
· dumbbell
o 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)
o This one won't embarrass you if you remember it is large enough for a double [r] AND a double [s].
· equipment
o This word is misspelled "equiptment" 22,932 times on the web right now.
· exhilarate
o Remembering that [h] when you spell this word will lift your spirits and if you remember both [a]s, it will be exhilarating!
· exceed
o Remember that this one is -ceed, not -cede. (To exceed all expectations, master the spellings of this word, "precede" and "supersede" below.)
· existence
o 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
o Don't experience the same problem many have with "existence" above in this word: -ence!
F
· fiery
o The silent "e" on "fire" is also cowardly: it retreats inside the word rather than face the suffix -y.
· foreign
o Here is one of several words that violate the i-before-e rule. (See "believe" above.)
G
· gauge
o You must learn to gauge the positioning of the [a] and [u] in this word. Remember, they are in alphabetical order (though not the [e]).
· grateful
o You should be grateful to know that keeping "great" out of "grateful" is great.
· guarantee
o I guarantee you that this word is not spelled like "warranty" even though they are synonyms.
H
· harass
o This word is too small for two double letters but don't let it harass you, just keep the [r]s down to one.
· height
o English reaches the height (not heighth!) of absurdity when it spells "height" and "width" so differently.
· hierarchy
o The i-before-e rule works here, so what is the problem?
· humorous
o Humor us and spell this word "humorous": the [r] is so weak, it needs an [o] on both sides to hold it up.
I
· ignorance
o Don't show your ignorance by spelling this word -ence!
· immediate
o The immediate thing to remember is that this word has a prefix, in- "not" which becomes [m] before [m] (or [b] or [p]). "Not mediate" means direct which is why "immediately" means "directly."
· independent
o Please be independent but not in your spelling of this word. It ends on -ent.
· indispensable
o Knowing that this word ends on -able is indispensable to good writing.
· inoculate
o This one sounds like a shot in the eye. One [n] the eye is enough.
· intelligence
o Using two [l]s in this word and ending it on -ence rather than -ance are marks of . . . you guessed it.
· its/it's
o The apostrophe marks a contraction of "it is." Something that belongs to it is "its."
J
· jewelry
o Sure, sure, it is made by a jeweler but the last [e] in this case flees the scene like a jewel thief. However, if you prefer British spelling, remember to double the [l]: "jeweller," "jewellery." (See also pronunciation.)
· judgment
o Traditionally, the word has been spelled judgment in all forms of the English language. However, the spelling judgement (with e added) largely replaced judgment in the United Kingdom in a non-legal context. In the context of the law, however, judgment is preferred. This spelling change contrasts with other similar spelling changes made in American English, which were rejected in the UK. In the US at least, judgment is still preferred and judgement is considered incorrect by many American style guides.
K
· kernel (colonel)
o There is more than a kernel of truth in the claim that all the vowels in this word are [e]s. So why is the military rank (colonel) pronounced identically? English spelling can be chaotic.
L
· leisure
o Yet another violator of the i-before-e rule. You can be sure of the spelling of the last syllable but not of the pronunciation.
· liaison
o Another French word throwing us an orthographical curve: a spare [i], just in case. That's an [s], too, that sounds like a [z].
· library
o It may be as enjoyable as a berry patch but that isn't the way it is spelled. That first [r] should be pronounced, too.
· license
o Where does English get the license to use both its letters for the sound [s] in one word?
· lightning
o Learning how to omit the [e] in this word should lighten the load of English orthography a little bit.
M
· maintenance
o The main tenants of this word are "main" and "tenance" even though it comes from the verb "maintain." English orthography at its most spiteful.
· maneuver
o Man, the price you pay for borrowing from French is high. This one goes back to French main + oeuvre "hand-work," a spelling better retained in the British spelling, "manoeuvre."
· medieval
o The medieval orthography of English even lays traps for you: everything about the MIDdle Ages is MEDieval or, as the British would write, mediaeval.
· memento
o Why would something to remind of you of a moment be spelled "memento?" Well, it is.
· millennium
o Here is another big word, large enough to hold two double consonants, double [l] and double [n].
· miniature
o Since that [a] is seldom pronounced, it is seldom included in the spelling. This one is a "mini ature;" remember that.
· minuscule
o Since something minuscule is smaller than a miniature, shouldn't they be spelled similarly? Less than cool, or "minus cule."
· mischievous
o This mischievous word holds two traps: [i] before [e] and [o] before [u]. Four of the five vowels in English reside here.
· misspell
o What is more embarrassing than to misspell the name of the problem? Just remember that it is mis + spell and that will spell you the worry about spelling "spell."
N
· neighbor
o The word "neighbor" breaks the i-before-e rule and invokes the silent "gh". This is fraught with error potential. If you use British spelling, it will cost you another [u]: "neighbour."
· noticeable
o The [e] is noticeably retained in this word to indicate the [c] is "soft," pronounced like [s]. Without the [e], it would be pronounced "hard," like [k], as in "applicable."
O
· occasionally
o Writers occasionally tire of doubling so many consonants and omit one, usually one of the [l]s. Don't you ever do it.
· occurrence
o Remember not only the occurrence of double double consonants in this word, but that the suffix is -ence, not -ance. No reason, just the English language keeping us on our toes.
P
· pastime
o Since a pastime is something you do to pass the time, you would expect a double [s] here. Well, there is only one. The second [s] was slipped through the cracks in English orthography long ago.
· perseverance
o All it takes is perseverance and you, too, can be a (near-)perfect speller. The suffix is -ance for no reason at all.
· personnel
o Funny Story (passed along by Bill Rudersdorf): The assistant Vice-President of Personnel notices that his superior, the VP himself, upon arriving at his desk in the morning opens a small, locked box, smiles, and locks it back again. Some years later when he advanced to that position (inheriting the key), he came to work early one morning to be assured of privacy. Expectantly, he opened the box. In it was a single piece of paper which said: "Two Ns, one L."
· playwright
o Those who play right are right-players, not playwrights. Well, since they write plays, they should be "play-writes," wright right? Rong Wrong. Remember that a play writer in Old English was called a "play worker" and "wright" is from an old form of "work" (wrought iron, etc.)
· possession
o Possession possesses more [s]s than a snake.
· precede
o What follows, succeeds, so what goes before should, what? No, no, no, you are using logic. Nothing confuses English spelling more than common sense. "Succeed" but "precede." (Wait until you see "supersede.")
· principal/principle
o The spelling principle to remember here is that the school principal is a prince and a pal (despite appearances)--and the same applies to anything of foremost importance, such as a principal principle. A "principle" is a rule. (Thank you, Meghan Cope, for help on this one.)
· privilege
o According to the pronunciation (not "pronounciation"!) of this word, that middle vowel could be anything. Remember: two [i]s + two [e]s in that order.
· pronunciation
o Nouns often differ from the verbs they are derived from. This is one of those. In this case, the pronunciation is different, too, an important clue.
· publicly
o Let me publicly declare the rule (again): if the adverb comes from an adjective ending on -al, you include that ending in the adverb; if not, as here, you don't.
Q
· questionnaire
o The French doing it to us again. Double up on the [n]s in this word and don't forget the silent [e]. Maybe someday we will spell it the English way.
R
· receive/receipt
o I hope you have received the message by now: [i] before [e] except after . . . .
· recommend
o I would recommend you think of this word as the equivalent of commending all over again: re+commend. That would be recommendable.
· referred
o Final consonants are often doubled before suffixes (remit: remitted, remitting). However, this rule applies only to accented syllables ending on [l] and [r], e.g. "rebelled," "referred" but "traveled," "buffered" and not containing a diphthong, e.g. "prevailed," "coiled."
· reference
o Refer to the last mentioned word and also remember to add -ence to the end for the noun.
· relevant
o The relevant factor here is that the word is not "revelant," "revelent," or even "relevent." [l] before [v] and the suffix -ant.
· restaurant
o 'Ey, you! Remember, these two words when you spell "restaurant." They are in the middle of it.
· rhyme
o Actually, "rime" was the correct spelling until 1650. After that, egg-heads began spelling it like "rhythm." Why? No rhyme nor reason other than to make it look like "rhythm."
· rhythm
o This one was borrowed from Greek (and conveniently never returned) so it is spelled the way we spell words borrowed from Greek and conveniently never returned.
S
· schedule
o If perfecting your spelling is on your schedule, remember the [sk] is spelled as in "school." (If you use British or Canadian pronunciation, why do you pronounce this word [shedyul] but "school," [skul]? That has always puzzled me.)
· separate
o How do you separate the [e]s from the [a]s in this word? Simple: the [e]s surround the [a]s.
· sergeant
o The [a] needed in both syllables of this word has been pushed to the back of the line. Remember that, and the fact that [e] is used in both syllables, and you can write your sergeant without fear of misspelling his rank.
· supersede
o This word supersedes all others in perversity. As if we don't have enough to worry about, keeping words on -ceed and -cede ("succeed," "precede," etc.) straight in our minds, this one has to be different from all the rest. The good news is: this is the only English word based on this stem spelled -sede.
T
· their/they're/there
o They're all pronounced the same but spelled differently. Possessive is "their" and the contraction of "they are" is "they're." Everywhere else, it is "there."
· threshold
o This one can push you over the threshold. It looks like a compound "thresh + hold" but it isn't. Two [h]s are enough.
· twelfth
o Even if you omit the [f] in your pronunciation of this word (which you shouldn't do), it is retained in the spelling.
· tyranny
o If you are still resisting the tyranny of English orthography at this point, you must face the problem of [y] inside this word, where it shouldn't be. The guy is a "tyrant" and his problem is "tyranny." (Don't forget to double up on the [n]s, too.)
U
· until
o I will never stop harping on this until this word is spelled with an extra [l] for the last time!
V
· vacuum
o If your head is not a vacuum, remember that the silent [e] on this one married the [u] and joined him inside the word where they are living happily ever since. Well, the evidence is suggestive but not conclusive. Anyway, spell this word with two [u]s and not like "volume."
WXYZ
o weather Whether you like the weather or not, you have to write the [a] after the [e] when you spell it.
o weird It is weird having to repeat this rule so many times: [i] before [e] except after...? (It isn't [w]!)
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100 Most Often Mispronounced Words and Phrases in English
Now that Dr. Language has provided a one-stop cure for the plague of misspelling, here are the 100 words most often mispronounced English words ("mispronunciation" among them). There are spelling rules in English even if they are difficult to understand, so pronouncing a word correctly usually does help you spell it correctly. Several common errors are the result of rapid speech, so take your time speaking, correctly enunciating each word.
Careful speech and avid reading are the best guides to correct spelling.
1.Don't say [Don't pronounce as black letter word - do pronounce as blue letter word]
2.Do Say
3.Comment [ forword to understand in a sentance]
A
acrossed
It is easy to confuse "across" with "crossed" but better to keep them separate.
affidavid
affidavit
Even if your lawyer's name is ''David,'' he issues affidavits.
Old-timer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
While it is a disease of old-timers, it is named for the German neurologist, Dr. Alois Alzheimer.
Antartic
Antarctic
Just think of an arc of ants (an ant arc) and that should help you keep the [c] in the pronunciation of this word.
Artic
Arctic
Another hard-to-see [c]—but it is there.
aks
ask
This mispronunciation has been around for so long (over 1,000 years) that linguist Mark Aronoff thinks we should cherish it as a part of our linguistic heritage. Most of us would give the axe to "aks."
athelete, atheletic
athlete, athletic
Two syllables are enough for "athlete."
B
barbituate
barbiturate
Don't forget this word contains three others: bar+bit+u+rate
bob wire
barbed wire
No, this word wasn't named for anyone named ''Bob;'' it should be "barbed wire," although the suffix –ed, meaning ''having,'' is fading away in the U.S.
bidness
business
The change of [s] to [d] before [n] is spreading throughout the US and when the unaccented [I] drops from this word the [s] finds itself in the same environment as in "isn't" and "wasn't."
a blessing in the skies
a blessing in disguise
This phrase is no blessing if it comes from the skies. (Pronounce it correctly and help maintain the disguise.)
C
Calvary
cavalry
It isn't clear why we say, ''Mind your Ps and Qs'' when we have more difficulty keeping up with our Ls and Rs. Had there been a cavalry in Jesus' time, perhaps Calvary would not have been so tragic.
cannidate
candidate
You aren't being canny to drop the [d] in this word. Remember, it is the same as "candy date." (This should help guys remember how to prepare for dates, too.)
card shark
cardsharp
Cardsharps probably won't eat you alive, though they are adept at cutting your purse strings.
Carpool tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome
This one is mispronounced (and misspelled) several different ways; we just picked the funniest. Carpal means ''pertaining to the wrist.''
caucaphony
cacophony
There is no greater cacophony [kæ'kafêni] to the ears than to hear the vowels switched in the pronunciation of this word.
The Caucases
The Caucasus
Although there are more than one mountain in this chain, their name is not a plural noun.
chester drawers
chest of drawers
The drawers of Chester is a typical way of looking at these chests down South but it misses the point.
chomp at the bit
champ at the bit
"Chomp" has probably replaced "champ" in the U.S. but we thought you might like to be reminded that the vowel should be [æ] not [o].
close
clothes
The [th] is a very soft sound likely to be overlooked. Show your linguistic sensitivity and always pronounce it.
coronet
cornet
Playing a crown (coronet) will make you about as popular as wearing a trumpet (cornet) on your head—reason enough to keep these two words straight.
D
dialate
dilate
The [i] in this word is so long there is time for another vowel but don't succumb to the temptation.
diptheria
diphtheria
The ''ph'' in this word is pronounced [f], not [p].
doggy dog world
dog-eat-dog world
The world is even worse than you think if you think it merely a "doggy-dog world." Sorry to be the bearer of such bad news.
drownd
drown
You add the [d] only to the past tense and past participle.
E
elec'toral
e'lectoral
The accent is on the second, not the third, syllable and there is no [i] in it—not "electorial." (By the way, the same applies to "mayoral" and "pastoral.")
excape
escape
The good news is, if you say "excape," you've mastered the prefix ex- because its meaning does fit this word. The bad news is, you don't use this prefix on "escape."
expresso
espresso
While I can't express my love for espresso enough, this word was borrowed from Italian well after the Latin prefix ex- had developed into es-.
excetera
et cetera
Latin for "and" (et) "the rest" (cetera) are actually two words that probably should be written separately.
expecially
especially
Things especial are usually not expected, so don't confuse these words.
F
Febyuary
February
We don't like two syllables in succession with an [r] so some of us dump the first one in this word. Most dictionaries now accept the single [r] pronunciation but, if you have an agile tongue, you may want to shoot for the original.
fedral
federal
Syncopation of an unaccented vowel is fairly common in rapid speech but in careful speech it should be avoided. See also "plute" and read more about the problem here.
fillum
film
We also do not like the combination [l] + [m]. One solution is to pronounce the [l] as [w] ("film" [fiwm}, "palm" [pawm]) but some prefer adding a vowel in this word.
fisical
fiscal
In fact, we don't seem to like any consonants together. Here is another word, like athlete and film that is often forced to swallow an unwanted vowel.
flounder
founder
Since it is unlikely that a boat would founder on a flounder, we should distinguish the verb from the fish as spelling suggests.
foilage
foliage
Here is another case of metathesis, place-switching of sounds. Remember, the [i] comes after the [l], as in related "folio."
For all intensive purposes
For all intents and purposes
The younger generation is mispronouncing this phrase so intensively that it has become popular both as a mispronunciation and misspelling.
forte
fort
The word is spelled "forte" but the [e] is pronounced only when speaking of music, as a "forte passage." The words for a strong point and a stronghold are pronounced the same: [fort].
H
Heineken remover
Heimlich maneuver (or manoeuvre, Br.)
This term is mispronounced many different ways. This is just the funniest one we have heard. This maneuver (manoeuvre) was named for US surgeon Henry Jay Heimlich (1920- ).
heighth
height
The analogy with "width" misleads many of us in the pronunciation of this word.
'erb
herb
Does, ''My friend Herb grows 'erbs,'' sound right to you? This is a US oddity generated by the melting pot (mixed dialects). Initial [h] is always pronounced outside America and should be in all dialects of English.
hi-archy
hierarchy
Remember, hierarchies go higher than you might think. This one is pronounced "higher archy" and not "high archy."
I
in parenthesis
in parentheses
No one can enclose an expression in one parenthesis; at least two parentheses are required.
interpretate
interpret
This error results from the back-formation of "interpretate" from "interpretation." But back formation isn't needed; we already have "interpret." (See also 'orientate')
irregardless
regardless
"-Less" already says ''without'' so there is no need to repeat the same sentiment with "ir-."
idn't
isn't
Again, the struggle of [s] before [n]. (See also "bidness" and "wadn't")
J
jewlery
jewelry
The root of this word is "jewel" and that doesn't change for either "jeweler" or "jewelry." The British add a syllable: "jewellery" (See also its spelling.)
jist nor dis
just
As opposed to the adjective "just," this word is always unaccented, which encourages vowel reduction. However, it sounds better to reduce the [ê] rather than replace it with [i].
K
Klu Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan
Well, there is an [l] in the other two, why not the first? Well, that is just the way it is; don't expect rationality from this organization.
L
lambast
lambaste
Better to lambaste the lamb than to baste him—remember, the words rhyme. "Bast" has nothing to do with it.
larnyx
larynx
More metathesis. Here the [n] and [y] switch places. Mind your [n]s and [y]s as you mind your [p]s and [q]s.
Laura Norder
law and order
The sound [aw] picks up an [r] in some dialects (also "sawr" and "gnawr"). Avoid it and keep Laura Norder in her place.
leash
lease
Southern Americans are particularly liable to confuse these two distinct words but the confusion occurs elsewhere. Look out for it.
libel
liable
You are liable for the damages if you are successfully sued for libel. But don't confuse these discrete words.
libary
library
As mentioned before, English speakers dislike two [r]s in the same word. However, we have to buck up and pronounce them all.
long-lived
long-lived
This compound is not derived from ''to live longly'' (you can't say that) but from ''having a long life'' and should be pronounced accordingly. The plural stem, live(s), is always used: "short-lived," "many-lived," "triple-lived."
M
masonary
masonry
We have been told that masons are most likely to insert a spare vowel into this word describing their occupation but we know others do, too. Don't you.
mawv
mauve
This word has not moved far enough away from French to assume an English pronunciation, [mawv], and should still be pronounced [mowv].
mannaise
mayonnaise
Ever wonder why the short form of a word pronounced "mannaise" is "mayo"? Well, it is because the original should be pronounced "mayo-nnaise." Just remember: what would mayonnaise be without "mayo"?
miniture
miniature
Here is another word frequently syncopated. Don't leave out the third syllable, [a].
mute
moot
The definition of "moot" is moot (open to debate) but not the pronunciation: [mut] and not [myut].
mis'chievous
'mischievous
It would be mischievous of me not to point out the frequent misplacement of the accent on this word. Remember, it is accented the same as mischief. Look out for the order of the [i] and [e] in the spelling, too—and don't add another [i] in the ending (not mischievious).
N
nother
other
Misanalysis is a common type of speech error based on the misperception of where to draw the line between components of a word of phrase. "A whole nother" comes from misanalyzing "an other" as "a nother." Not good. Not good.
nucular
nuclear
The British and Australians find the American repetition of the [u] between the [k] and [l] quaintly amusing. Good reason to get it right.
nuptual
nuptial
Many speakers in the US add a spurious [u] to this word, too. It should be pronounced [nêpchêl], not or [nêpchuêl].
O
often
ofen
We have mastered the spelling of this word so well, its spelling influences the pronunciation: DON'T pronounce the [t]! This is an exception to the rule that spelling helps pronunciation.
ordinance
ordnance
You may have to use ordnance to enforce an ordinance but you should not pronounce the words the same.
orientate
orient
Another pointless back-formation. We don't need this mispronunciation from "orientation" when we already have "orient." (See also "interpretate")
ostensively
ostensibly
Be sure to keep your suffixes straight on this one.
Ostraya
Australia
This pronunciation particularly bothers Australians themselves, most of whom can manage the [l] quite easily, thank you.
P
parlament
parliament
Although some dictionaries have given up on it, there should be a [y] after [l]: [pahr-lyê-mênt]
perculate
percolate
Pronouncing this word as "perculate" is quite peculiar. (Also, remember that it means ''drip down'' not ''up.'')
pottable
potable
The adjective meaning "drinkable" rhymes with "floatable" and is not to be confused with the one that means "capable of being potted."
perogative
prerogative
Even in dialects where [r] does not always trade places with the preceding vowel (as the Texan pronunciations "differnce," "vetern," etc.), the [r] in this prefix often gets switched.
perscription
prescription
Same as above. It is possible that we simply confuse "pre-" and "per-" since both are legitimate prefixes.
persnickety
pernickety
You may think us too pernickety to even mention this one. It is a Scottish nonce word to which U.S. speakers have added a spurious [s].
preemptory
peremptory
The old pre-/per- problem. Do not confuse this word with "preemptive;" the prefix here is per-.
prespire
perspire
"Per-" has become such a regular mispronunciation of "pre-," many people now correct themselves where they don't need to.
plute
pollute
This one, like "plice" [police], spose [suppose], and others, commonly result from rapid speech syncope, the loss of unaccented vowels. Just be sure you pronounce the vowel when you are speaking slowly. Read here for more on the problem.
(probly, prolly)
probably
Haplology is the dropping of one of two identical syllables such as the [ob] and [ab] in this word, usually the result of fast speech. Slow down and pronounce the whole word for maximum clarity and to reduce your chances of misspelling the word.
pronounciation
pronunciation
Just as "misspelling" is among the most commonly misspelled words, "pronunciation" is among the most commonly mispronounced words. Fitting, no?
prostrate
prostate
Though a pain in the prostate may leave a man prostrate, the gland contains no [r].
R
realator
realtor
As you avoid the extra vowel in "masonry," remember to do the same for "realtor," the guy who sells what the mason creates.
revelant
relevant
Here is another word that seems to invite metathesis.
reoccur
recur
You don't have to invent a new word from "occur." We already have a verb "recur" that does the trick.
respite
respite
Despite the spelling similarity, this word does not rhyme with despite; it is pronounced ['re-spit]. Give yourself a permanent respite from mispronouncing it.
S
sherbert
sherbet
Some of the same people who do not like two [r]s in their words can't help repeating the one in this word.
silicone
silicon
Silicon is the material they make computer chips from but implants are made of silicone.
snuck
sneaked
I doubt we will get "snuck" out of the language any time soon but here is a reminder that it really isn't a word.
sose
so
The phrase "so as" has been reduced to a single word "sose" even when it is not called for. "Sose I can go" should be simply "so I can go." By the way, the same applies to alls, as in "Alls I want is to never hear 'alls' again."
spade
spay
You can have your dog spayed but so long as she is a good dog, please don't spade her.
spitting image
spit and image
The very spit of someone is an exact likeness. "The spit and image" or "spit image" emphasizes the exactness.
stob
stub
In some areas the vowel in this word has slid a bit too far back in the mouth. Don't choke on it.
stomp
stamp
Stamps are so called because they were originally stamped (not stomped) on a letter. You stamp your feet, too.
suit
suite
If you don't wear it (a suit [sut]), then it is a suite [sweet], as in a living room suite or a suite of rooms.
supposably
supposedly
Adding –ly to participles is rarely possible, so some people try to avoid it altogether. You can't avoid it here.
supremist
supremacist
This word is derived from "supremacy," not "supreme." A supremist would be someone who considers himself supreme. You know there is no one like that.
T
tact
tack
If things are not going your way, do not lose your tact—that would be tactless—but take a different tack.
take for granite
take for granted
We do tend to take granite for granted, it is so ubiquitous. But that, of course, is not the point.
tenant
tenet
A tenant is a renter who may not hold a tenet (a doctrine or dogma).
tenderhooks
tenterhooks
Tenters are frames for stretching cloth while it dries. Hanging on tenterhooks might leave you tender but that doesn't change the pronunciation of the word.
Tiajuana
Tijuana
Why make Spanish words more difficult than they already are? Just three syllables here, thank you.
triathalon
triathlon
We don't like [th] and [l] together, so some of us insert a spare vowel. Pronounce it right, spell it right.
U
upmost
utmost
While this word does indicate that efforts are up, the word is "utmost," a(!) historical variation of "outmost."
V
verbage
verbiage
Here is another word that loses its [i] in speech. Pronouncing it correctly will help you spell it correctly.
volumptuous
voluptuous
Some voluptuous women may be lumpy, but please avoid this Freudian slip that apprises them of it.
W
wadn't
wasn't
That pesky [s] before [n] again. See "bidness" and "idn't."
ways
way
"I have a ways to go" should be "I have a way to go." The article "a" does not fit well with a plural.
wet
whet
In the Northeastern US the sound [hw], spelled "wh," is vanishing and these two words are pronounced the same. Elsewhere they should be distinguished.
Y
yoke
yolk
Another dialectal change we probably should not call an error: [l] becomes [w] or [u] when not followed by a vowel. Some people just confuse these two words, though. That should be avoided.
Z
zuology
zoology
Actually, we should say [zo], not [zu], when we go to the zoo but we'll let that pass. The discipline, however, must be pronounced [zo-'ah-luh-gee].
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