2-minute read
...rein” is still the correct spelling. To remember, keep the equestrian connection in mind. You will avoid errors as long as you recall that the “reins” in “free rein” are used to steer a horse. And if you need any help with your spelling, don’t forget to ask a proofreader....
3-minute read
...the words “bio” or “geo” used by themselves (these are prefixes that go at the start of other words). So if you’re ever unsure whether a suffix works with a particular word, be sure to look it up. Spelling Changes when Adding a Suffix Look out for words that change...
...But over the last 200 years, “impolite” has become the preferred spelling, and “unpolite” is now rare. The changing usage of these words. This change does make sense, though, since it matches the spelling of similar words, and adjectives that begin with “m” or “p” usually take the prefix “im-”...
...with words that end with “-le” like “table,” “stable,” and “cable.” However, the correct spelling is always “label.” Labeled or Labelled? In American English, the past tense of “label” is “labeled,” spelled with one “l.” This follows the standard doubling up rule, where you only double the final letter in...
Whether you’re learning English or are a native speaker, you’ll know that the English language has its quirks. Two of those quirks are spelling and pronunciation. Words that sound the same but have different meanings in English are known as homophones. Ware and wear are both examples of homophones, meaning...
4-minute read
Do you visit a “website” or a “web site”? And should these terms be capitalized? To find out which spelling to use and ensure your own website is error-free, read on. What Do These Words Mean? “Website” and “web site” are synonyms (i.e., words that are spelled differently but mean...
Thanks to acid house, the phrase “dropping an ‘e’” sounds rather unsavory these days. Nevertheless, in some situations, dropping an “e” is essential to correct spelling (which is how we proofreaders get our kicks). More specifically, you need to be careful when adding a suffix to a word that ends...
...on for a straightforward explanation of dreamt versus dreamed. It’s only within the past 150 years that spellings have been standardized. Fixed rules for spelling didn’t apply before then, and anyone who could write just wrote down how they thought a word sounded. Even now, we can see different spellings...
...or “bounciest”). The correct spelling of “bouncier” and “bounciest” is vital for grading inflatable castles. [Photo: Oast House Archive]Furthermore, some words spelled with “-ei-” or “-ie-,” but that don’t contain an “ee” sound, such as “beige” or “science,” don’t follow the “i before e” rule either (e.g., “foreign,” “neighbor” and...
English spelling can sometimes vary depending on the country using English as its main language. Toward and towards are one such example. Toward tends to be used in American and Canadian English, and towards is used in British and Australian English. Both spellings, toward and towards, are becoming equally acceptable...
...anxious or excited way.” In modern English, this word only commonly appears in the phrase bated breath. So if you’re talking about waiting excitedly, the correct spelling will be “bated.” But in other situations, such as luring an animal or deliberately angering someone, you will need “baited.” And if you’d...
...I’ve got no sense of rythm at all. ✘ I’ve got no sense of rhythm at all. ✔︎ This mistake occurs because the first “h” is silent, so it is easy to miss. The correct spelling, though, is always “rhythm.” Note, too, that this word is made up entirely of...