Check the spelling
It is important that you check the accuracy of your spelling in your written work. Here are some common errors to watch out for.
Common spelling errors
- not dropping the final 'e' before adding '-ing', for example, breatheing = breathing
- errors in forming plurals in words that end in '-y', for example, babys = babies
- homophones (words that sound the same but are spelt differently and have different meanings), for example, to, two and too; there, their and theyâre; were, where and weâre
- problems with two vowels in the middle of words, such as ea, ou and i, for example, reech = reach; freind = friend
- problems with words that we sometimes shorten when we say them, for example, "probly" for "probably" and âgonnaâ for âgoing toâ
Commonly misspelled words
Certain words often cause trouble, and these are best made into a personal spelling list and learned off by heart. Sometimes the oddest ideas are the easiest to remember, like big elephants can always understand small elephants, which helps us remember how to spell 'because'. Here are a few more to help you:
- separate - there is a rat in separate
- receive - i before e except after c
- listen for the ear in hear
- rhythm helps you to hear music
Another way can be to exaggerate the syllables, or even the letters, of a difficult to spell word, especially exaggerating the part you misspell, for example, se â par â ate or be-a-u-ti-ful.