2-minute read
...the intricacies of these two spellings, helping you make the right choice in your writing. Which Is Correct: Blond or Blonde? The first thing to clarify is that “blond” and “blonde” are both correct spellings. However, they’re not interchangeable, and because the word made its way to English usage from...
...two spellings. American English vs. British English “Cozy” is the preferred spelling in American English, while “cosy” is used in British English. Which spelling to use, therefore, depends on which dialect you are using: American English: The cat slept in its cozy basket. British English: The cat slept in its...
3-minute read
The “doubling up” rule (or the “1:1:1 rule”) is one of the few rules in English spelling that is correct most of the time. Given how confusing English can be, we find this reliability oddly comforting. Let’s look at how it works. What Is the Doubling Up Rule? The doubling...
Homophones—i.e., words that sound the same but differ in spelling and meaning—can cause a lot of confusion when you’re not sure which term to use in your written work. Some mix-ups are definitely more common than others, though, so here’s our list of ten prominent “reoffenders.” Keep an eye out...
...pronunciation. This is also reflected in the shortened, informal version of the word: Do we have to clean the toilet block again, sarge? However, when using the full term, the correct spelling is always “sergeant”: He was promoted to sergeant after years as a corporal. ✓ He was promoted to...
Do you have a “best friend” or a “best freind”? Spelling this word correctly can be tricky, especially the vowel order in the middle. But this post will look at how to spell this word correctly so you can avoid errors in your writing. What Does Friend Mean? “Friend” is...
...spelling this word with an “mn” instead of a double “mm.” But “dilemna” is always an error! To avoid this mistake, remember that the “di-” in this word originally meant “two.” Helpfully, this matches the two Ms in the middle of “dilemma”! And for more help with your spelling, or...
Is accurate spelling important? Definitely! Or should that be “definately”? In this post, we’ll explain which of these spellings is correct and why people get this word wrong so often. What Does Definitely Mean? “Definitely” is an adverb that means without any doubt or certainly: He will definitely arrive by...
4-minute read
...as they are often spelled differently by just one or two letters. In fact, homophones are one of the most common spelling errors in English. Common homophones include the following: ● Four, for ● Ate, eight ● Two, to, too ● Bread, bred ● Bee, be Homophones can cause typos...
Silent letters make spelling a real challenge. And this makes it vital to understand what silent letters are and what to look for in your writing in order to avoid spelling mistakes. What Are Silent Letters? Silent letters are just what they sound like: letters or letter combinations that are...
...days, but I’m all right now. Alright vs. All Right? The choice between alright and all right depends on the level of formality you’re aiming for in your writing. In American English, all right is the traditional spelling and is generally preferred in formal contexts, while alright is a common...
Have you noticed the spellings “dependent” and “dependant” used anywhere? This might seem odd if you’re from the USA, as American English always uses the spelling “dependent.” But things get more complicated once you’re outside the United States! To help you avoid errors in your work, then, here is our...