The
A to Z of Correct English
A
Abandon :abandoned,
abandoning, abandonment (Forsake,
leave behind):(not -bb-)
Abattoir :(not -bb-) (A building where animals are butchered)
Abbreviate :abbreviated,
abbreviating, abbreviation (not -b-)
(Reduce in scope while retaining essential elements, Shorten)
abridgement/ abridgment :Both spellings are correct. Use either but be consistent within
one piece of writing.
(A
shortened version of a written work)
abscess :(not absess
or abcess) (Symptom consisting of a
localized collection of pus surrounded by
inflamed tissue)
absence :absent (not absc-) (Failure to be present)
absolute :absolutely (not absoloute, absoloutely) (Perfect or complete or pure)
absorb :absorption. Notice how b
changes to p here.
accept or except? : We ACCEPT your apology. (Consider or
hold as true)
Everybody was there EXCEPT Stephen. (Prevent from being included or considered)
Accessory or accessory?:
use
ACCESSARY to refer to someone
associated with a crime and ACCESSORY to refer to something
that is added (a fashion accessory or car accessories)
accessible :(not -able) (Easily obtained)
accidentally :The adverb is formed by adding -ly to accidental. (not accidently) (Without advance planning)
accommodation : is frequently seen misspelt on painted signs. (not accomodation or accommadation)
(Living quarters provided
for public convenience)
accumulate ( not –mm-) (Collect
or gather)
achieve : achieved, achieving, achievement (not -ei-) (To gain with effort)
acknowledgement/ acknowledgment :Both spellings
are correct but be consistent within one piece of writing.
(A short note recognizing a
source of information or of a quoted passage)
acquaint :acquainted (not aq-) (Having fair knowledge of)
acquaintance :(not -ence) (Personal knowledge or information about
someone or something)
acquiesce :acquiesced, acquiescing (not aq-) (To agree or express
agreement)
acquiescence :(not -ance) (Acceptance without protest)
acquire :acquired, acquiring, acquisition (not aq-) (Come into the
possession of something concrete or abstract)
acreage :Note that there are three syllables
here.(not acrage) (An area of ground used for some particular
purpose)
across :(not accross)
(To the opposite side)
adapter or adaptor? :Traditional
usage would distinguish between these two words and reserve -er for the person
(an adapter of novels, for instance) and -or for the piece of electrical
equipment
addendum (singular) :addenda (plural) (Textual matter
that is added onto a publication; usually at the end)
address :(not adr-)
adieu (singular) :adieus
or adieux (plural) (A farewell remark)
adrenalin/adrenaline :Both spellings
are correct. (A catecholamine secreted by
the adrenal medulla in response to stress)
advantageous :advantage + ous. Keep the -e in this
instance. (Giving an advantage)
adverse or averse? :These two words have different meanings. The ferries were
cancelled owing to
ADVERSE weather conditions. (= unfavourable) She is not AVERSE to publicity.(= opposed)
advertisement :advertise + ment (A public
promotion of some product or service)
advice or advise? :My ADVICE is to forget all about it. (noun = recommendation). What would you ADVISE me to do? (verb = recommend)
adviser or advisor? :Adviser is the traditionally
correct British spelling. Advisor is more common in American English. (An expert who gives advice)
advisory :(not -ery) (An
announcement that usually advises or warns the public of some threat)
aerial :Use the same spelling for the noun (a television AERIAL = An electrical device that sends or receives radio or
television signals) and the adjective (an AERIAL photograph). (Existing or living or growing or operating in the air)
affect or effect? Use these exemplar sentences as a guide: Heavy drinking will AFFECT your liver.(verb)
The EFFECT on her health was immediate. (noun) The new manager plans to EFFECT
sweeping changes. (verb = to bring
about)
afraid :(not affraid)
(Filled with fear or apprehension)
ageing or aging? :Both spellings are
correct but many would prefer ageing as it keeps the identity of the base word
(age) more easily recognised.
aggravate :Strictly speaking, aggravate means to make worse. His rudeness AGGRAVATED an already
explosive situation. It is, however,
widely used in the sense of to irritate or to annoy.
aggressive :(not agr-) (Having or showing determination and
energetic pursuit of your ends)
agree to/agree with :The
choice of preposition alters the meaning of the verb:
I AGREED TO do what he advised.
I AGREED TO all the conditions.
I AGREED WITH all they said.
agreeable :(not agreable)
(Conforming to your own liking or
feelings or nature)
alga (singular) :algae (plural) (Primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly
aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems and roots and leaves)
allege :(not -dge) (Report or maintain)
alley or ally? :An ALLEY is a little lane. alley (singular),
alleys (plural) An ALLY is a
friend. ally (singular), allies (plural)
all most or almost? :There
is a difference in meaning. Use these exemplar sentences as a guide:
They were ALL (= everyone) MOST kind.
The child was ALMOST (=nearly) asleep.
allowed or aloud? :There is a difference in meaning. Use these exemplar sentences as
a guide:
Are we ALLOWED (= permitted) to smoke in here?
I was just thinking ALOUD (= out loud).
all ready or already? :There is a difference in meaning. Use these exemplar sentences as
a guide:
We are ALL (= everyone) READY.
It is ALL (= everything) READY.
She was ALREADY dead (= by then).
all right or alright? :Traditional usage would consider ALL RIGHT
to be correct and ALRIGHT to be incorrect.
all so or also? :There is a difference in meaning. Use these exemplar sentences as
a guide:
You are ALL (= everyone) SO kind.
You are ALSO (= in addition) generous.
all together or There is a difference in meaning. Use these exemplar sentences as
a guide:
altogether? They were ALL (=
everybody) huddled TOGETHER for warmth.
His situation is ALTOGETHER (= totally) different from yours.
allude or elude? :There
is a difference in meaning. ALLUDE means to refer to indirectly.
ELUDE means to
evade capture or recall.
allusion, delusion :There is a
difference in meaning.
or illusion? An ALLUSION is an indirect reference. A DELUSION is a false belief (often associated with a mental disorder). An ILLUSION is a deceptive appearance.
all ways or always? :There
is a difference in meaning.
These three routes are ALL (= each of them) WAYS into town.
She ALWAYS (= at all times) tells the truth.
a lot :Write as two words,
not as one. Bear inmind that this construction is slang and not to be used in a
formal context. (To a very great degree
or extent)
altar or alter? :There is a difference in meaning.
The bride and groom stood solemnly before
the ALTAR.
Do you wish to ALTER (= change) the arrangements?
alternate or We visit our grandparents on ALTERNATE Saturdays. (= every other Saturday)
alternative? I ALTERNATE between hope and despair. (= have each mood in turn)
An ALTERNATIVE
plan would be to go by boat. (= another possibility)
The ALTERNATIVES
are simple: work or go hungry. (= two choices)
Alzheimer’s disease :(not Alze-)
amateur :(not -mm-) (Someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime)
amend or emend? :Both words mean ‘to make changes in order
to improve’. Use AMEND or EMEND when referring to the correction of
written or printed text. Use AMEND in a wider context such as AMENDING the law or AMENDING behaviour.
among :(not amoung) (In the middle of)
among/amongst :Either form can be used.
among or between? :Use BETWEEN when something is shared by two
people. Use AMONG when it
is shared by three or more. Share the sweets BETWEEN the two of you.
Share the sweets AMONG yourselves. However, BETWEEN is used with numbers larger than two
when it means an exact geographical location or when it refers to
relationships.
Sardinia lies BETWEEN Spain, Algeria, Corsica and Italy.
It will take a long time before the
rift BETWEEN the five main parties
heals.
amoral or immoral? :There
is a difference in meaning.
AMORAL means not being governed by moral laws, acting outside them. (note
-m-)
IMMORAL means breaking the moral laws. (note -mm-)
amount :(not ammount)
(A quantity of money)
amount or number? :AMOUNT is used with
non-count nouns: a small AMOUNT of sugar; a surprising AMOUNT of gossip. NUMBER is used with plural nouns: a NUMBER of mistakes; a NUMBER of reasons.
analyse :(not -ize as
in American English) (Break down
into components or essential features)
analysis (singular) analyses (plural)
annex or annexe? :To ANNEX is to take possession of a country
or part of a country. An ANNEX is
another word for an appendix in an official document. An ANNEXE is a building added to the main
building.
announce :announced, announcing, announcer, announcement (not -n-) (Make known)
annoy :annoyed,
annoying, annoyance (not anoy or
annoied) (disturb)
annul :annulled, annulling, annulment (Declare
invalid, Cancel officially)
anoint :(not -nn-) (Choose by or as if by divine
intervention)
ante-/anti- :ANTE- means before. antenatal = before birth ANTI- means against. antifreeze = against
freezing. antecedent This means earlier in time or an
ancestor. (not anti-)
antediluvian :This means very old-fashioned and primitive, literally ‘before the
flood of Noah’. (not anti-)
antenna :This word has two plurals, each used in a different sense:
:Use ANTENNAE
to refer to insects. Use ANTENNAS
to refer to television aerials.
anticlimax :(not ante-) (A disappointing decline after a previous
rise)
antirrhinum :(not -rh-)
(A
genus of herbs of the family Scrophulariaceae with brightly coloured irregular
flowers)
antisocial :(not ante-) (Shunning contact with others)
anxiety :(not angs-)
anxious :(not angs-) (Eagerly desirous)
apologise/apologize :Both
spellings are correct. (not -pp) apology, apologies (plural)
appal :appalled, appalling (not -aul-) (Strike with disgust
or revulsion)
appearance :(not -ence) (Outward or visible aspect of a person or
thing)
appendix :This word has two plurals, each used in a different sense.
Use APPENDIXES
in an anatomical sense.
Use APPENDICES
when referring to supplementary sections in books or
formal documents.
appreciate :There are three distinct meanings of this word.
I APPRECIATE
your kindness (= recognise gratefully).
I APPRECIATE
that you have had a difficult time lately (= understand).
My cottage HAS APPRECIATED in value already (=
increased).
approach :approached, approaching (not apr-) (Move towards)
aquarium (singular) :aquaria or aquariums (plural) (A tank or pool or bowl filled with water for
keeping live fish and underwater animals)
arbiter or arbitrator? :An
ARBITER is a judge or someone with decisive
influence (an arbiter of fashion).
In addition, an ARBITER may intervene to settle a dispute
(-er).
An ARBITRATOR
is someone who is officially appointed to judge the
rights and wrongs of a dispute (-or).
arbitrator or mediator? :An ARBITRATOR
reaches a judgement but is not necessarily obeyed.
A MEDIATOR
attempts to bring two opposing sides together and to settle
a dispute.
archipelago :There are two interchangeable plural forms: archipelagoes,
archipelagos.
(A group of many islands in a large body of water)
Arctic : (not artic, although frequently mispronounced as such) (The regions to
the north of the Arctic Circle
centred on the North Pole)
argument :(not arguement) (A fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true)
arrange :arranged, arranging, arrangement (not -r-) (Put into a proper or
systematic order)
article :(not -cal) (Nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication)
artist or artiste? :Traditionally, an ARTIST is skilled in one or more of the
fine arts (painting, for example, or sculpture). Traditionally, the term ARTISTE is reserved for a performer or
entertainer (a
music-hall ARTISTE). However, ARTIST is now being used to cover both
meanings in the sense of ‘skilled practitioner’, and ARTISTE is becoming redundant.
as or like? :Use these exemplar sentences as a guide: You look AS if you have seen a ghost.
You look AS though you have seen a ghost.
AS I
expected, he’s missed the train. You look LIKE your mother.
Asphalt :(not ashphalt,
as it is frequently mispronounced) (~tar)
aspirin :(not asprin,
as it is frequently mispronounced) (The
acetylated derivative of salicylic acid; used as an analgesic
anti-inflammatory drug)
assassin :(not assasin
or asassin) (A murderer (especially one
who kills a prominent political figure) who kills by a surprise attack and
often is hired to do the deed)
assume or presume? :To
ASSUME something to be the case is
to take it for granted without any proof.
To PRESUME something to be the case is to base it on the evidence available.
assurance or insurance?
; ASSURANCE is the technical term given for
insurance against a certainty (e.g.death)
here payment is guaranteed. INSURANCE is the technical term given for
insurance against a risk (such as fire, burglary, illness) where payment is
madeonly if the risk materialises.
asthma :(not asma or
assma)
astrology :ASTROLOGY
is the study of the influence of the stars and planets on
human life and fortune.
or astronomy? :ASTRONOMY is the scientific study of the stars
and planets.
athlete :(not athelete)
athletics :(not atheletics)
attach :attached, attaching, attachment (not -tch)
audible :(not -able)
audience :(not -ance)
aural or oral? :AURAL refers to the ears and hearing. ORAL refers to the mouth and speaking.
authoritative :(not authorative)
(Having authority or ascendancy or
influence)
autobiography or biography?
:An AUTOBIOGRAPHY is an account of his or her life by the author. A BIOGRAPHY is an account of a life written by
someone else.
automaton (singular) :automata, automatons (plural) (A mechanism that can move automatically)
avenge or revenge? :The words are
very close in meaning but AVENGE is often used in the sense of just retribution, punishing a wrong
done to another. Hamlet felt bound to AVENGE his father’s death.
REVENGE is often used in the sense of ‘getting one’s own back’ for a petty
offence.
awkward :Notice -wkw-. The spelling itself looks awkward!
(Causing inconvenience)
axis (singular) :axes (plural)
B
babyhood :(not -i-)
This word is an exception to the -y rule
(The early stage of growth or development)
bachelor :(not -tch-) (A man who has never been married)
bacillus (singular) :bacilli (plural) (Aerobic rod-shaped
spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found
primarily in soil)
bacterium (singular) :bacteria (plural)
banister/bannister :banisters,
bannisters (plural) (A railing at the
side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling)
bargain :(not -ian) (An
agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing
obligations of each)
basically :basic + ally (not basicly) (In essence;
at bottom or by one's (or its) very nature)
bath or bathe? :Use these exemplar sentences as a
guide: I have a BATH every morning (= I have a wash in
the bath).I BATH the baby every day (= wash in a bath). I have had a new BATH fitted.
We BATHE every day (= swim). BATHE the wound with disinfectant (= cleanse). We have a BATHE whenever we can (= a swim).
beach or beech? :Use these exemplar sentences as a guide: Budleigh Salterton has a
stony BEACH.
BEECH trees
shed their leaves in autumn.
before :(not befor) (Earlier in time; previously)
beginner :(not -n-) (Someone new to a field or activity)
beige :(not -ie-) (Of a light greyish-brown colour)
belief :(not -ei) (Any cognitive content held as true)
believe :believed, believing, believer (Accept
as true; take to be true)
benefit :benefited, benefiting. It is a common mistake to use -tt-. (Financial assistance in time of need)
berth or birth? :Use
these exemplar sentences as a guide: We have a spare BERTH on our boat. We are proud to
announce the BIRTH of a
daughter.
beside or besides? :Use BESIDE in the sense of next to, by the side
of: Your glasses are BESIDE your bed. May I sit BESIDE you? Use BESIDES in the sense of also, as well as: BESIDES, I can’t afford it.
BESIDES being very clever, Ann also works hard.
bi- :This prefix means ‘two’. Hence bicycle, bifocals, bigamy, and so
on. Note, however, that some words beginning
with ‘bi’ can be ambiguous.See BIMONTHLY and BIWEEKLY. BIANNUAL OR BIENNIAL
biannual or biennial? :BIANNUAL means twice a
year (not -n-). BIENNIAL means every two years (a biennial
festival) or lasting for two years (horticultural, etc). (not -ual)
bicycle :bi + cycle (not bycycle
or bycicle)
bidding or biding? :bid + ing = bidding. The
BIDDING at the auction was fast
andfurious. BIDDING farewell, the knight canteredaway.
bide + ing = biding. Her critics
were just BIDING their time.
bimonthly :Avoid using BIMONTHLY as it has two conflicting meanings.
It can mean both every two months and also twice a month. (Compare BIWEEKLY.)
binoculars ;(not -nn-)
biscuit :(not -iu-)
bivouac :bivouacked, bivouacking (Temporary
living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers)
bizarre :(not -zz-) (Conspicuously or grossly unconventional or
unusual)
blond or blonde? :BLOND is used to describe men’s hair. BLOND is used to describe women’s hair.
A BLONDE is a woman.
board or bored? :A BOARD is a piece of wood, also a committee
or similar group of people.To BOARD means to get on (train, etc.)and also to pay for living in
someone’s house and having food provided.
BORED means
uninterested.
boarder or border? :A
BOARDER is a person who pays to
live in someone’s house.
A BORDER is the edge or boundary of something.
boisterous :(not boistrous, although often mispronounced
as two syllables) (Noisy and lacking in
restraint or discipline)
boney/bony :Both
spellings are correct, although the second spelling is more commonly used.
bored by, bored with : (not bored of)
born or borne? :Use these exemplar sentences as a
guide: Dickens was BORN in
Portsmouth.She has BORNE five
children.
He has BORNE a heavy burden of guilt all his
life.
borrow or lend? :May
I BORROW your pen? (= use yourpen
temporarily)
Please LEND me your pen. (= pass it to me and
allow me to use it)
both . . . and :Take care
with the positioning of each half of this paired construction. Each must introduce
grammatically similar things:
He is BOTH clever AND hardworking.
(not: He both is clever and
hardworking!)
He BOTH paints AND sculpts.
He bought BOTH the gardening tools AND the DIY kit.
Notice, however, the ambiguity in
the last example. It could mean that there were just two gardening tools and he
bought both of them. In the case of possible confusion, always replace:
He bought the gardening tools and
also the DIY kit. He bought the two gardening tools and also the DIY kit. He
bought both of the gardening tools and also the DIY kit.
bought or brought? :BOUGHT is the past
tense of to buy.She BOUGHT eggs, bacon and bread. BROUGHT is the past tense of to bring. They BROUGHT their books home.
bouncy :(not -ey) (Elastic; rebounds readily)
breath or breathe? :BREATH is the noun, and rhymes with ‘death’. He called for help with his
dying BREATH.
BREATHE is the verb and rhymes with ‘seethe’. BREATHE deeply and fill those lungs!
brief, briefly :(not -ei-) (Of short duration or distance)
Britain :(not -ian)
Brittany :(not Britanny)
broach or brooch? :You BROACH a difficult topic or BROACH a bottle. (Bring up a topic
for discussion)
You wear a BROOCH. (A decorative pin worn by women)
broccoli :(not brocolli)
(Branched green undeveloped
flower heads)
broken :(not brocken)
building :(not -iu-)
bureau :bureaux, bureaus (plural) (An
administrative unit of government) Both forms are correct.
Bureaucracy :(not -sy) (Nonelective government officials)
Burglar ;(not burgular,
as often mispronounced) (A thief who
enters a building with intent to steal)
buy/by :Use these exemplar
sentences as a guide: I need to BUY some new jeans. The book is BY Charlotte
Bronte. Wait BY the
gate. The children rushed BY.
C
cactus (singular) :cactuses or cacti (plural)
caffeine :(not -ie-) (A bitter alkaloid found in coffee and tea
that is responsible for their stimulating effects)
calculator :(not -er)
calf (singular) :calves
(plural) (Young of domestic cattle)
callous or callus? :CALLOUS means
cruel, insensitive, not caring about how others feel. CALLUS means a hard patch of skin or tissue.
Interestingly, skin may be CALLOUSED (made hard) or CALLUSED (having calluses).
can or may? :Strictly speaking, CAN means ‘being able’ and MAY means ‘having permission’. It is best to preserve this distinction
in formal contexts. However, informally, CAN is used to cover both meanings: You CAN go now (= are permitted).
caning or canning? :cane + ing = caning CANING is now banned in all schools. Can +
ing = canning
The CANNING factory is closing down.
canister :(not -nn-) (Metal container for storing dry foods such
as tea or flour)
cannon or canon? :A
CANON is a cleric. A CANNON is a large gun.
cannot or can not? :Both forms are
acceptable but the second is rarely seen.
canoe :canoed, canoeing, canoeist (Travel by
canoe, Small and light boat)
canvas or canvass? :CANVAS is a rough cloth. To CANVASS is to ask for votes.
capital punishment or corporal
punishment? :CAPITAL
PUNISHMENT = death,
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT = beating
cappuccino :(not -p-) (an Italian coffee drink prepared with
espresso, hot milk, and steamed-milk foam.)
capsize :This is the only verb in
the English language of more than one syllable that must end in -ize. (Overturn accidentally)
captain :(not -ian)
career :(not -rr-)
cargo (singular) :cargoes (plural)
Caribbean :(not -rr-, not -b-)
carrying :carry + ing (Move while
supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body)
cast or caste? :Use
CAST for a group of actors in a
play and for a plaster CAST and a CAST in an eye.
Use CASTE when referring to a social group in Hindu society.
caster or castor? :Both caster sugar and castor sugar are correct.
Both sugar caster and sugar castor
are correct. Both casters and castors can be used when
referring to the little wheels fixed
to the legs of furniture.
But castor oil, not caster oil.
catarrh :(not -rh) (Inflammation of the nose and throat with
increased production of mucus)
catastrophe :(not -y) (An event resulting in great loss and
misfortune)
categorical :categorically (not cata-) (Relating to or
included in a category or categories)
category (singular) categories (plural) (not cata-)
cauliflower :(not -flour) (A plant having a large edible head of crowded white flower buds)
ceiling :(not -ie-) (The overhead upper surface of a covered
space)
Cellophane :(not Sello-) (A transparent paperlike product that is impervious to moisture and
used to wrap candy or cigarettes etc.)
censer, censor, or censure? :A CENSER is a container in which incense is
burnt during a religious ceremony A CENSOR is a person who examines plays, books, films, etc. before deciding
if they are suitable for public performance or publication. To CENSOR is to do the work of a CENSOR. CENSURE is official and formal disapproval or condemnation of an action. To
CENSURE is to express this condemnation
in a formal written or spoken statement.
centenarian or centurion? :A CENTENARIAN is someone who is at least 100 years
old. A CENTURION is the
commander of a company of 100 men in the ancient Roman army.
century (singular) :centuries (plural) (not centua-)
cereal or serial? :CEREAL is food processed from grain. A SERIAL is a book or radio or television performance delivered in
instalments.
ceremonial or ceremonious? :Both adjectives
come from the noun CEREMONY. CEREMONIAL describes the ritual used for a formal religious or public event
(a CEREMONIAL occasion). CEREMONIOUS describes the type of person who
likes to behave over-formally on social occasions. It is not altogether complimentary
(a CEREMONIOUS wave of the
hand).
ceremony (singular) :ceremonies (plural)
certain or curtain :CERTAIN means sure. Are you CERTAIN that he apologised? CURTAINS are window drapes. Do draw the CURTAINS. Note that the
c sounds like s in certain and like k in curtain.
changeable :(not -gable)
chaos :chaotic (A state of extreme
confusion and disorder)
character :(not charachter)
(An imaginary person represented in a
work of fiction)
check or cheque? :Use these exemplar sentences as a guide: Always CHECK your work. May I pay by CHEQUE? (not ‘check’ as in the United
States)
cherub (singular) :This word has two plurals. Cherubim is
reserved exclusively for the angels often portrayed as little children with
wings. Cherubs can be used either for angels or for enchanting small children.
chestnut :(not chesnut,
as it is often mispronounced) ((of hair
or feathers) of a golden brown to reddish brown colour)
chief (singular) :chiefs (plural) (A person who is in charge)
childish or childlike? :The
teenager was rebuked by the magistrate for his CHILDISH
behaviour. (i.e. which he should have outgrown) The grandfather has retained his sense of CHILDLIKE wonder at the beauty of the natural world. (i.e. marvellously
direct,innocent and enthusiastic)
chimney (singular) :chimneys
(plural)
chocolate :(not choclat
although often mispronounced as such)
choice :(not -se)
choir :(not -io-) (A family of similar musical instrument
playing together)
choose :I CHOOSE my words carefully.
I am CHOOSING my words carefully.
I CHOSE my words carefully yesterday.
I have CHOSEN them carefully.
chord or cord? :CHORD is used in a mathematical or musical context.
CORD refers
to string and is generally used when
referring to anatomical parts like the umbilical cord, spinal cord and vocal
cords.
Christianity :(not Cr-)
Christmas : (not Cristmas
or Chrismas)
chronic :(not cr-) This
word is often misused. It doesn’t mean terrible or serious. It means
longlasting,
persistent, when applied to an illness.
chrysanthemum :(not cry-)
cigarette :(not -rr)
cite, sight or site? ; To CITE means to refer to. SIGHT is vision or something seen. A SITE is land, usually set aside for a particular purpose.
clothes or cloths? :CLOTHES are garments. CLOTHS are dusters or scraps of material.
coarse or course? :COARSE means
vulgar, rough: COARSE language, COARSE cloth. COURSE means Certainly: OF COURSE. COURSE also means a series of lectures, a direction, a sports area, and
part of a meal: an advanced COURSE, to change COURSE, a golf COURSE, the main COURSE .
codeine :(not -ie-) (Derivative of opium)
colander :(not -ar) (Bowl-shaped strainer; used to wash or drain
foods)
collaborate :collaborated, collaborating (Work
together on a common enterprise of project)
collaborator :collaboration (An associate
in an activity or endeavour or sphere of common interest)
collapse : collapsed, collapsing (Break down,
literally or metaphorically), collapsible (not -able)
colleagues :( An associate that one works
with)
colloquial :( Characteristic of informal
spoken language or conversation)
colonel or kernel? :A
COLONEL is a senior officer. A KERNEL is the inner part of a nut.
colossal :(not -ll-) (So great in size or force or extent as to
elicit awe)
colour :(not color,
as in American English), colourful
coming :come + ing =
coming (not comming)
commemorate :(not -m-) (Mark by some ceremony or observation)
commission :(not -m-) (A special group delegated to consider some
matter)
commit :committed,
committing, (Perform an act), commitment
comparative :comparatively (not compari-) (Relating to or
based on or involving comparison)
competition :competitive,
competitively.
complement or compliment? :COMPLEMENT = that which completes
Half the ship’s COMPLEMENT were recruited in Norway.
To COMPLEMENT
= to go well with something
Her outfit was COMPLEMENTED by well chosen accessories.
COMPLIMENT = praise, flattering remarks
To COMPLIMENT
= to praise.
complementary or
complimentary? : Use COMPLEMENTARY in the sense of completing
a whole:
COMPLEMENTARY medicine.,COMPLEMENTARY jobs
Use COMPLIMENTARY
in two senses: (a) flattering (b) free of charge
COMPLIMENTARY remarks, COMPLIMENTARY tickets
completely :complete + ly (not completly, completely or compleatly)
complex or complicated? :Both words mean ‘made up of many different intricate and confusing
aspects’.
However, use COMPLEX when you mean ‘intricate’, and COMPLICATED when you
mean ‘difficult to understand’.
compose/comprise The report IS COMPOSED OF ten sections. (= is made up of)
The report COMPRISES ten sections. (= contains)
Never use the construction ‘is
comprised of’. It is always incorrect grammatically.
comprise :(not -ize) (Include or contain; have as a component)
compromise :(not -ize) (Settle by concession)
computer :(not -or)
concede (Admit (to a wrongdoing))
conceive :conceived, conceiving, conceivable (Have the idea for)
concise :(Expressing much in few
words)
confer :conferred, conferring, conference (Have a conference in order to talk something over)
confidant, confidante or
confident? :A CONFIDANT (male or female) or a CONFIDANTE (female only) is someone
to whom one tells one’s secrets ‘in confidence’.
CONFIDENT means assured.
connection or connexion? :Both spellings are
correct, but the first one is more commonly used.
connoisseur :Used for both
men and women. (An expert able to
appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts)
conscientious : (Characterized by extreme
care and great effort)
consist in or consist of? : For Belloc, happiness CONSISTED IN ‘laughter and the love of friends’. (consist in = have as its
essence) Lunch CONSISTED OF bread, cheese and fruit.
consistent :(not -ant) (The same throughout in structure or
composition)
contagious or infectious? :Both
refer to diseases passed to others. Strictly speaking, CONTAGIOUS means
passed by bodily contact, and INFECTIOUS means passed by means of air or
water.
Used figuratively, the terms are interchangeable:
INFECTIOUS laughter, NTAGIOUS enthusiasm.
contemporary :(not contempory,
as often mispronounced)
Nowadays, this word is used in two senses:
(a) happening or living at the same time (in
the past) (b) modern, current
Be aware of possible ambiguity if
both these meanings are possible in a given context:
Hamlet is being performed in contemporary dress (sixteenth-century or modern?).
contemptible or
contemptuous :A person or an
action worthy of contempt is CONTEMPTIBLE.
A person who shows contempt is CONTEMPTUOUS.
continual :continually (Occurring without interruption; chiefly restricted to
what recurs regularly or frequently in a prolonged and closely spaced series)
continual or continuous? :CONTINUAL means frequently repeated, occurring
with short breaks only.
CONTINUOUS means uninterrupted.
controller :(not -or)
convenience :(not -ance)
convenient :conveniently (not convien-)
correspond :(not -r-) (Be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their
characteristics)
correspondence :(not -ance) (Communication by the exchange of letters)
correspondent or co-respondent? :A CORRESPONDENT
is someone who writes letters. A CO-RESPONDENT is cited in divorce proceedings.
could of :This is
incorrect and arises from an attempt to write down what is heard. Write
‘could’ve’ in informal contexts and ‘could have’ in formal ones. I COULD HAVE given you a lift. I COULD’VE given you a lift. Beware also:
should of/would of/must of/
might of. All are incorrect forms.
council or counsel? :A COUNCIL is a board of elected representatives.
COUNSEL is advice, also the term
used for a barrister representing a client in court.
councillor or counsellor? :A
COUNCILLOR is an elected representative.
A COUNSELLOR is one who
gives
professional guidance, such as a
study COUNSELLOR, a marriage COUNSELLOR, a debt COUNSELLOR.
counterfeit :( Not genuine;
imitating something superior)
courageous :
(not -gous)
courteous :courteously, courtesy (Exhibiting
courtesy and politeness)
credible or credulous? :If
something is CREDIBLE, it is believable. If someone is CREDULOUS, they are
gullible (i.e. too easily taken in).
crisis (singular) :crises (plural)
criterion (singular) :criteria (plural)
criticise/criticize :Both
spellings are correct.
criticism :This
word is frequently misspelt. Remember critic + ism. (Disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings)
cupboard :(not cub-)
curb or kerb :To
CURB one’s temper means to control
or restrain it. A CURB is a
restraint (e.g. a curb bit for a horse). A KERB is the edging of a pavement.
Curious :( eagerly interested in
learning more)
curiosity :(not -ious-)
curly :(not -ey) ((of hair) having curls or waves)
currant or current? :A CURRANT is a small dried grape used in
cooking. A CURRENT is a steady flow of water, air or electricity. CURRENT can also mean happening at the
present time (as in CURRENT affairs, CURRENT practice).
curriculum (singular) :curriculums/curricula
(plural)
curriculum vitae :(abbreviation: CV) (A
summary of your academic and work history)
D
daily :(not dayly) This
is an exception to the -y rule.
dairy or diary? :We buy our
cream at a local DAIRY. Kate
writes in her DIARY every
day.
data (plural) :datum (singular) Strictly speaking, DATA should be used with a plural verb:
The DATA have been collected by research students. You will, however,
increasingly see DATA used
with a singular verb and this use has now become acceptable. The DATA has been collected by research students.
deceased or diseased? :DECEASED means dead. DISEASED means affected by illness or infection.
deceit :(not -ie) (The quality of being fraudulent)
deceive :(Be false to; be dishonest
with)
decent or descent? :DECENT means fair, upright, reasonable. DESCENT means act of coming down, ancestry.
decide :decided, deciding (not decied-)
de´colletage :(not de-) (A low-cut neckline on a woman's dress)
decrepit :(not -id) (Worn and broken down by hard use)
defective or deficient? :DEFECTIVE means not working properly (a DEFECTIVE machine). DEFICIENT means
lacking something vital (a diet DEFICIENT in vitamin C).
definite :(not -ff-, not -ate) (Precise; explicit and clearly defined) definitely
denouement/ de´nouement :Both spellings are correct. (The outcome of a complex sequence of
events)
dependant or dependent? :The adjective (meaning reliant) is
always -ent. She is a widow with five DEPENDENT
children. I am absolutely DEPENDENT on a pension. The noun (meaning
someone who is
dependent) has traditionally been
spelt -ant.
describe :(not dis-) (Give a description of)
description :(not -scrib-)
(A statement that represents something in
words)
desert or dessert? :A
DESERT is sandy. A DESSERT is a pudding.
desiccated :(not dess-) (Thoroughly dried out)
desirable :(not desireable)
(Worth having or seeking or achieving)
desperate : (not desparate) The word is derived from spes (Latin word for hope). This may help
you to
remember the e in the middle
syllable. (Arising from or marked by
despair or loss of hope)
destroy :destroyed, destroying (not dis-)
detached :(not detatched)
deter :
deterred, deterring (Try
to prevent; show opposition to)
deteriorate :(not deteriate,
as it is often mispronounced) (Become worse
or disintegrate)
deterrent :(not -ant) (Something immaterial that interferes with
or delays action or progress)
develop :developed, developing (not -pp-) (Make something new,
such as a product or a mental or artistic creation)
development :(not developement)
device/devise :DEVICE is the noun. A
padlock is an intriguing DEVICE. DEVISE is the verb. Try to DEVISE a simple burglar alarm.
diagnosis (singular) :diagnoses
(plural)
diagnosis or prognosis? :DIAGNOSIS is the identification of an illness or a difficulty. PROGNOSIS is the forecast of
its likely development and effects.
diary (singular) :diaries (plural)
dictionary (singular) :dictionaries (plural) (not -nn-)
didn’t :(not did’nt)
diesel :(not deisel)
dietician/dietitian :Both
spellings are correct.
difference :(not -ance)
different :(not -ant)
different from/to/than ;‘Different from’ and
‘different to’ are now both considered acceptable forms. My tastes are DIFFERENT FROM yours. My tastes are DIFFERENT TO yours. Conservative users
would, however, much prefer the preposition ‘from’ and this is widely used in
formal contexts. ‘Different than’ is acceptable in American English but is not
yet fully acceptable in British English.
difficult :(not differcult, not difficalt)
dilapidated :(not delapidated)
(Bring into a condition of decay or
partial ruin by neglect or misuse)
dilemma :This
word is often used loosely to mean ‘a problem’. Strictly speaking it means a difficult
choice between two possibilities.
dinghy or dingy? :A
DINGHY is a boat (plural –
dinghies). DINGY means
dull and drab.
dingo (singular) :dingoes or dingos (plural) (Wolflike yellowish-brown wild dog of Australia)
dining or dinning? :dine
+ ing = dining (as in dining room) din + ing = dinning (noise dinning in ears)
diphtheria :(not diptheria as it is often
mispronounced) (Acute contagious
infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae; marked by
the formation of a false membrane in the throat and other air passages
causing difficulty in breathing)
diphthong :(not dipthong as it is often
mispronounced)
disagreeable :dis + agree + able
disappear :dis + appear
disappearance :(not -ence)
disappoint :dis + appoint
disapprove :dis + approve
disassociate or dissociate? ;Both are correct, but the second is more widely used and
approved.
disastrous :(not disasterous,
as it is often mispronounced)
disc or disk? :Use
‘disc’ except when referring to computer disks.
disciple :(not disiple)
(Someone who believes and helps to spread
the doctrine of another)
discipline :(A branch of knowledge)
discover or invent? :You DISCOVER something that has been there all
the time unknown to you (e.g. a star).
You INVENT something if you create it for the first time (e.g. a time
machine).
discreet or discrete? :You
are DISCREET if you can keep secrets and
behave diplomatically.
Subject areas are DISCRETE if they are quite separate and
unrelated.
discrepancy (singular) :discrepancies (plural) (A difference between conflicting facts or claims or opinions)
discuss :discussed, discussing
disheveled : (In disarray; extremely disorderly)
disintegrate :(not disintergrate)
(Break into parts or components or
lose cohesion or unity)
disinterested or uninterested? :Careful users would wish to preserve
a distinction in meaning between these two
words. Use the word DISINTERESTED to mean ‘impartial,
unselfish, acting for the good of others and not for yourself’ .My motives are
entirely DISINTERESTED; it is justice
I am seeking. Use UNINTERESTED to mean ‘bored’. His teachers say he is reluctant to participate
and is clearly UNINTERESTED in any activities the school has to offer. Originally, DISINTERESTED was used in this sense (=
having no interest in, apathetic), and it is interesting that this meaning is
being revived in popular speech. Avoid this use in formal contexts, however,
for it is widely perceived as being incorrect.
displace or misplace? :To displace is to move someone or something
from its usual place: A DISPLACED h a DISPLACED person. To misplace something is to
put it in the wrong place
(and possibly forget where it is): A MISPLACED apostrophe; MISPLACED kindness.
dissatisfied :(dis + satisfied)
divers or diverse :The first is rarely
used nowadays except jokingly or in mistake for the second. DIVERS means ‘several’, ‘of varying types’:
DIVERS reference books. DIVERSE means ‘very different’:
DIVERSE opinions, DIVERSE interests.
does or dose? :DOES he take sugar? He DOES. (pronounced ‘duz’).Take a DOSE of cough mixture every
three hours.
doesn’t :(not does’nt)
domino (singular) :dominoes (plural) (A
mask covering the upper part of the face but with holes for the eyes)
don’t :(not do’nt)
doubt :(not dout) The
word is derived from the Latin word dubitare, to doubt. It may help you to
remember why the silent b is there.
Down’s Syndrome :(not Downe’s) (A
congenital disorder caused by having an extra 21st chromosome; results in
a flat face and short stature and mental retardation)
downstairs :(one word)
draft or draught? :A
DRAFT is a first or subsequent
attempt at a piece of written work before it is finished.
A DRAUGHT is a current of cool air in a room. One also refers to a DRAUGHT of ale, a game of DRAUGHTS and a boat having a shallow DRAUGHT.
drawers or draws? ;DRAWS is a verb. She DRAWS very well for a young child. DRAWERS is a noun. The DRAWERS of the sideboard are very stiff.
dreamed/dreamt :Both
spellings are correct.
drier or dryer? :DRIER is generally used for the comparative form (DRIER = more dry).
DRYER is
generally used for a drying machine (hair DRYER, clothes DRYER). However,
both spellings are interchangeable.
drunkenness :drunken + ness
dual or duel? :DUAL means two (e.g. DUAL controls, DUAL carriageway).
DUEL means fight or contest.
duchess :(not dutchess)
due to/owing to :Strictly
speaking, ‘due to’ should refer to a noun: His absence was DUE TO sickness. (noun)
The delay was DUE TO leaves on the line. (noun) ‘Owing to’, strictly speaking, should
refer
to a verb: The march was cancelled OWING TO the storm. (verb) OWING TO an earlier injury, he limped badly. (verb)
duly :(not duely) (At the proper time) This is an
exception to the magic -e rule.
dwelled/dwelt :Both
spellings are correct. (Think moodily or
anxiously about something)
dyeing or dying? :DYEING comes
from the verb to dye. She was DYEING all her vests green. DYING comes from the verb to die. She cursed him with her DYING breath.
E
earnest or Ernest? :EARNEST = serious and sincere , ERNEST = masculine first name
echo (singular) :echoes (plural)
economic or economical? :ECONOMIC = related to the economy of the
country, or industry or business
ECONOMICAL = thrifty, avoiding extravagance.
ecstasy (singular) :ecstasies (plural) (A
state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion) Ecstasy illegal drug
eczema : (Generic term for
inflammatory conditions of the skin; particularly with vesiculation in the
acute stages)
eerie or eyrie? :EERIE = strange, weird, disturbing, EYRIE = an eagle’s nest
effective, effectual, or efficient? :EFFECTIVE = able to
produce a result, an EFFECTIVE cure, an EFFECTIVE speech
EFFECTUAL = likely to be completely successful: EFFECTUAL prayer,EFFECTUAL legislation
EFFICIENT = working well without wasting time, money or effort: an EFFICIENT secretary an EFFICIENT engine
eighth :(notice -hth) (Coming next after the
seventh and just before the ninth in position)
either . . .or (i) Take
care with singular and plural verbs. Use these exemplar sentences as a guide: Either
Jack or Tom was there. (singular verb to match Jack (singular) and Tom (singular)).Either
Jack or his brothers were there. (plural verb to match
‘brothers’ (plural) which is closer to it than ‘Jack’ (singular) ). Either his
brothers or Jack was there. (singular verb this time
because ‘Jack’ (singular) is closer to the verb than ‘brothers’)
(ii) Be careful to place each part
of the ‘either . . . or’ construction correctly. ‘I have decided either that I have to
build an extension or I have to move.’ ‘I have decided that either I have to
build an extension or I have to
move.’ In the example above, there are these two possibilities:
I have to build an extension. I have
to move. ‘Either’ precedes the first one and ‘or’ precedes the second. The
second one could be shortened: I have decided that either I have to build an
extension or (I have to) move. ‘I have decided that either I have to
build an extension or move.’
It is important that the two constructions
following ‘either’ and ‘or’ should be parallel ones:
either meat or fish, either green or
red ,either to love or to hate, either with malice or with kindness.
If the second construction is shortened
to avoid repetition, this is fine. The missing words are obvious and can be
supplied readily.
elf (singular) :elves (plural) ((folklore)
fairies that are somewhat mischievous)
eligible or legible? :ELIGIBLE = suitably qualified, LEGIBLE = able to be read
eloquent :(Expressing yourself
readily, clearly, effectively)
embargo (singular) :embargoes (plural) (A
government order imposing a trade barrier)
embarrass :embarrassed, embarrassing (not -r-)
embarrassment (The shame you feel when your inadequacy or guilt is made
public)
emergency (singular) :emergencies
(plural) (A sudden unforeseen crisis
(usually involving danger) that requires immediate action)
emigrant or immigrant? :An EMIGRANT
leaves his or her country to live in another. An IMMIGRANT moves into a country to live permanently.
eminent or imminent? :EMINENT = famous, IMMINENT = about to happen
emphasise/emphasize :Both spellings are correct. (Give extra weight to (a communication))
encyclopaedia/ encyclopedia :Both spellings are correct.
enemy (singular) :enemies (plural)
enormity :This means a grave sin or a crime, or describes
something that is a grave sin or a crime or a disaster on a huge scale. We
gradually realised the full ENORMITY of the tragedy. It is often used in popular speech to mean ‘enormousness’,
‘hugeness’, ‘immensity’. This should be avoided in a formal context.
enquiry or inquiry? :Both
spellings are correct and there is no difference in meaning.
enrol :enrolled, enrolling (British English – enrol; American English –
enroll), enrolment (British
English – enrolment; American English – enrollment) (Register formally as a participant or member)
ensure or insure? :to ENSURE = to make sure, to INSURE = to arrange for financial compensation
in the case of loss, injury, damage or death
enthusiasm :(not -ou-), enthusiastic (A feeling of
excitement)
envelop :enveloped, enveloping, envelopment (stress on second syllable)
envelope (singular) :envelopes (plural) (stress on third syllable)
environment :(not enviroment)
epigram or epitaph? :EPIGRAM = a short witty saying , EPITAPH = an inscription on a tombstone
equip :equipped, equipping, equipment
erratum (singular) :errata (plural) (A
mistake in printed matter resulting from mechanical failures of some kind)
erring :err + ing (not -r-) (Capable of making an error)
erupt (not -rr-) (Start abruptly)
especially or specially? :The two words are very close in meaning and sometimes overlap.
However, use these exemplar sentences as a
guide to exclusive uses: I bought the car ESPECIALLY for you (=
for you alone). We are awaiting a SPECIALLY commissioned report (= for a special
purpose).
estuary (singular) :estuaries (plural) (The
wide part of a river where it nears the sea; fresh and salt water mix)
etc. :(not e.t.c.
or ect.) (i) etc. is an abbreviation of the Latin et cetera which means ‘and other
things’. It is therefore incorrect
to write ‘and etc.’.(ii) Avoid using ‘etc.’ in formal writing. Either list all
the items indicated by the vague and lazy ‘etc.’, or introduce the given
selection with a phrase like ‘including’, ‘such as’ or ‘for example’.
eventually :eventual + ly (not eventully) (After an
unspecified period of time or an especially long delay)
exaggerate :(not exagerate)
(To enlarge beyond bounds or the truth)
excellent :(not -ant)
exceptionable or exceptional? :EXCEPTIONABLE = open to objection, EXCEPTIONAL = unusual
excite :excited,
exciting, excitement (Arouse or elicit a
feeling)
exclaim :exclaimed, exclaiming (Utter
aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy)
exclamation :(not -claim-)
exercise :(not excercise)
exhausted :(not exausted)
(Drained of energy or effectiveness;
extremely tired; completely exhausted)
exhausting or exhaustive? :EXHAUSTING = tiring, EXHAUSTIVE = thorough, fully comprehensive
exhilarated :(not -er-) (Made joyful)
expedition :(not expidition) (A journey organized for a particular purpose) The second syllable
is derived from the Latin word pes, pedis (foot,
of the foot). This may help you to remember -ped-. The words pedal, pedestrian,
pedometer all come from this same Latin root.
expendable :(not -ible) (Suitable to be expended)
experience :(not expierience, not -ance) The second syllable is
derived from the Latin word per, meaning through. (Experience is what we gain from going ‘through’
something.)
explain :explained, explaining
explanation :(not -plain-)
explicit or implicit? :EXPLICIT = stated clearly and openly, IMPLICIT = implied but not actually stated
extraordinary :extra + ordinary
extravagance :(not -ence) (The quality of exceeding the appropriate
limits of decorum or probability or truth)
extravagant :(not -ent) (Recklessly wasteful)
extremely :extreme + ly
exuberance :(not -ence) (Joyful enthusiasm)
exuberant :(not -ent) (Produced or growing in extreme abundance)
F
facetious :(All five
vowels occur in this word once only and in alphabetical order.) (Cleverly amusing in tone)
facilities or faculties? :FACILITIES = amenities, FACULTIES = mental or physical aptitudes
factory (singular) :factories (plural)
Fahrenheit :(not -ie-)
faithfully :faithful + ly
familiar :(not fammiliar)
family (singular) :families
(plural) (not -mm-)
farther or further? :Both words can be
used to refer to physical distance although some writers prefer to keep
‘farther’ for this purpose. I can walk FARTHER than you. I can walk FURTHER than you.
FURTHER is used in a figurative sense: Nothing was FURTHER from my mind.
FURTHER is also used in certain expressions: FURTHER education , until FURTHER notice
fascinate :(not facinate) (Cause to be interested or curious)
favourite :(not -ate)
feasible :(not -able)
fewer or less? :FEWER is the comparative form of ‘few’. It is used with plural nouns: FEWER vegetables
FEWER responsibilities,
FEWER children, LESS is the comparative form of ‘little’.
It is used in the sense of ‘a small amount’ rather than ‘a fewer number of’: LESS enthusiasm, LESS sugar,
LESS petrol. LESS THAN is used with number alone, and
expressions of time and distance:
LESS THAN a thousand, LESS THAN ten seconds, LESS THAN four miles
It is considered incorrect to use
‘less’ instead of ‘fewer’ although such confusion is frequent in popular
speech. As a rule of thumb, remember: FEWER = not so many, LESS = not so much
fiance´ or fiance´e? :FIANCE´ = masculine, FIANCE´E = feminine Note the accent in both words.
fictional or fictitious? :FICTIONAL = invented for
the purpose of fiction, related to fiction. FICTIONAL texts, FICTIONAL writing. FICTITIOUS = false, not true, a FICTITIOUS report, a FICTITIOUS name and address Either word can be used to describe a character
in a work of fiction: a FICTIONAL or FICTITIOUS character.
fiery :(not firey)
flamingo (singular) :flamingoes or flamingos (plural) (Large pink to scarlet web-footed
wading bird with down-bent bill; inhabits brackish lakes)
flammable or inflammable :Both words mean ‘easily bursting
into flame’. People often think that inflammable is the negative form but the prefix ‘in’ here
means ‘into’. The opposite of these two words is non-flammable
or non-inflammable.
flexible :(not -able) (Capable of being changed)
flu or flue? :FLU = influenza (not ’flu although an abbreviation) FLUE = a pipe or duct for smoke and
gases
fluorescent :(not flourescent)
focus :focused or focussed (both correct) focusing or focussing (both
correct)
for- or fore-? :A useful
rule of thumb is to remember the usual meaning of the prefixes: FOR- = not, or something negative (forbid,
forfeit, forget, forsake), FORE- = before (foreboding, forecast, forefathers)
forbear or forebear? :FORBEAR (stress on
second syllable) = restrain oneself, FORBEAR or FOREBEAR (stress on first syllable) = ancestor
forbid :forbad or forbade (both correct), forbidden, forbidding
forcible :(not -able) (Impelled by physical force especially
against resistance)
forecast (not forcast)
(Predict in advance)
forefend/forfend :Either
spelling can be used. (Prevent the
occurrence of; prevent from happening)
foregather/forgather :Either
spelling can be used. (Collect in one
place)
forego/forgo :Either
spelling can be used. (Be earlier
in time; go back further)
forest :(not forrest)
foreword or forward? :Use these exemplar sentences as a guide: The
Poet Laureate had written a FOREWORD for the new anthology. I am looking FORWARD to the holiday. Will you please FORWARD this letter?
forfeit :(not -ie-,
exception to the rule) (Something that is
lost or surrendered as a penalty;)
formally or formerly? :FORMALLY = in a formal manner, FORMERLY = previously, at an earlier time
formula (singular) :There are two plurals. Use formulae in a scientific or mathematical
context. Use formulas in all other
cases.
forsake :(not fore-) (Leave someone who needs or counts on
you; leave in the lurch)
fortunately :fortunate + ly (not -atly) (By
good fortune)
forty :(not fourty)
frantic :( Excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent
emotion) frantically frantic + ally (not franticly)
frequent :(not -ant) Use
as an adjective (stress on first syllable): There were FREQUENT interruptions.
Use as a verb (stress on second
syllable): They FREQUENT the most terrible pubs.
fresco (singular) :frescoes
or frescos (plural) (A mural
done with watercolours on wet plaster)
friend :(not -ei-)
frieze :(not -ei-) (A heavy woollen fabric with a long nap)
frighten :frightened, frightening (not frightend, frightning) (Cause
fear in)
fungus (singular) :fungi or funguses (plural)
G
gaiety :gay + ety – an exception to the y rule (A gay feeling)
gaily gay + ly – an exception to the y rule (In a gay manner)
gallop :galloped, galloping (not -pp-)
ganglion (singular) :ganglia or ganglions (plural) (An encapsulated neural structure
consisting of a collection of cell bodies or neurons)
gaol :An alternative spelling is ‘jail’.
garage (A repair shop where cars and trucks are serviced and repaired)
gateau (singular) :gateaus or gateaux (plural) (Any of various rich and elaborate cakes)
gauge :(not guage) (Determine the capacity, volume, or contents
of by measurement and calculation)
genealogical :(not geneo-)
generosity :(not -ous-) (Acting generously)
generous : (Not petty in character and mind)
ghastly :(not gastly) (Shockingly
repellent; inspiring horror)
gipsy/gypsy :Both
spellings are correct. gipsies or gypsies (plural)
glamorous :(not -our-) (Having an air of allure, romance and
excitement)
good will or goodwill? :Always write as one word when
referring to the prestige and trading value of a business.
He bought the GOODWILL for five thousand pounds. Use either
two words or one word when
referring to general feelings of
kindness and support. As a gesture of GOOD WILL, she cancelled the fine.
gorgeous (not -gous) :( Dazzlingly beautiful)
gorilla or guerilla? :A GORILLA is an animal. A GUERILLA is a revolutionary fighter.
gossip :gossiped, gossiping (not -pp)
gourmand or gourmet? A GOURMAND
is greedy and overindulges where fine food is concerned. A
GOURMET is a connoisseur
of fine food.
government :(not goverment
as it is often mispronounced)
governor :(not -er)
gradual :gradually gradual + ly (not gradully) (Proceeding in small stages)
graffiti :This is increasingly used in a general sense (like the word
‘writing’) and its plural force is forgotten
when it comes to matching it with a verb:There was GRAFFITI all over the wall.
A few conservative writers would
like a plural verb (There were GRAFFITI all over the wall).
graffito (singular) :graffiti (plural)
grammar :(not -er)
gramophone :(not grama-)
grandad/granddad :Both spellings are correct. Grandchild, granddaughter,
grandfather grandma, grandmother, grandparent ,grandson
grate or great? : Use these
exemplar sentences as a guide: The fire was burning brightly in the GRATE.
GRATE the
potato coarsely. Christopher Wren was a GREAT architect.
grateful :(not greatful)
(Feeling or showing gratitude)
grief :(not -ei-) (Something
that causes great unhappiness)
grievance :(not -ence)
grievous :(not -ious) (Causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm)
grotto (singular) :grottoes or grottos (plural) (A small cave (usually with attractive features))
guttural :(not -er-) (Like the sounds of frogs and crows)
H
hadn’t :(not had’nt)
haemorrhage :(not -rh-) (The flow of blood from a ruptured
blood vessel)
half (singular) :halves (plural)
halo (singular) :haloes or halos (plural) (An indication of radiant light drawn around the head of a saint)
handkerchief (singular) : handkerchiefs
(plural) (not -nk-)
hanged or hung? :People
are HANGED. Things like clothes and
pictures are HUNG.
happen :happened, happening (not -nn-)
harass :(not -rr-) (Annoy continually or chronically)
headquarters :(not headquaters)
hear or here? :You
HEAR with your ear. Use HERE to indicate place: Come over HERE.
heard or herd? :We
HEARD their voices outside. We
photographed the HERD of deer.
heroin or heroine? :HEROIN is a drug. A HEROINE is a female hero.
hers :No apostrophe is needed. This is mine; this is HERS. HERS has a yellow handle.
hiccough or hiccup? :Both words are pronounced
‘hiccup’ and either spelling can be used. The second spelling (hiccup) is more
usual. (Breathe spasmodically, and make a
sound)
hiccup :hiccuped, hiccuping (not -pp-)
hieroglyphics (A writing system using picture symbols; used in
ancient Egypt)
high-tech or hi-tec? :Both
spellings are correct for the adjective derived from high technology: A HI-TEC factory
A HIGH-TECH
computer system Without the hyphen, each word can be used
as a noun replacing ‘high technology’: A generation familiar with HIGH TECH. The latest development in HI TEC
hindrance :(not hinderance)
(Something immaterial that interferes
with or delays action or progress)
hippopotamus (singular): hippopotami or
hippopotamuses (plural)
historic or historical? :HISTORIC means famous in history, memorable, or likely to go down in recorded
history:
a HISTORIC
meeting. HISTORICAL means existing in the past or representing something that could
have happened in the past: a HISTORICAL novel, a HISTORICAL fact
hoard or horde? :To HOARD is to save something in a secret
place. A HOARD is a secret store. A HORDE is a large group of people, insects
or animals.
hoarse or horse? : HOARSE means croaky, sore or rough (a HOARSE whisper). HORSE is an
animal.
hole or whole? :Use these
exemplar sentences as a guide: She ate the WHOLE cake by herself. You have a HOLE in your sock.
homeoepathy/ homeopathy: Both spellings are correct.
honest :(not onnist
or honist)
honorary :(Note: this
word has four syllables not three.) An HONORARY secretary of an association is one who works voluntarily and
receives no payment.
hoof (singular) :hoofs or hooves (plural) (The foot of an ungulate mammal)
hoping or hopping? :hope + ing = hoping (Expect
and wish), hop + ing = hopping (Jump
lightly)
horrible :(not -able) (Provoking horror)
human or humane? :HUMAN beings are
naturally competitive. There must be a more HUMANE way of slaughtering animals.
humour :humorous (not humourous)
hundred (not hundered)
hygiene :(not -ei-) (A condition promoting sanitary practices)
hyper- or hypo-? :The prefix
‘hyper’ comes from a Greek word meaning ‘over’, ‘beyond’. Hence we have words
like these: hyperactive (= abnormally active) hypermarket (= a very large
self-service store) hypersensitive (= unusually sensitive)
The prefix ‘hypo’ comes from a Greek
word meaning ‘under’. Hence we have words like these: hypochondria (the
melancholy associated with obsession with one’s health was originally believed to originate in the organs beneath
the ribs) hypodermic (= under the skin)
hypercritical or hypocritical? :HYPERCRITICAL = excessively critical, HYPOCRITICAL = disguising one’s true nature
under a pretence of being better than you really are.
hyperthermia or hypothermia? HYPERTHERMIA = having an abnormally high
body temperature HYPOTHERMIA = having an abnormally low
body temperature
hyperventilate or hypoventilate :HYPERVENTILATE = to breathe at an abnormally
rapid rate, HYPOVENTILATE = to breathe at an abnormally
slow rate
hypocrisy :(not -asy) (An expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction)
hypothesis (singular) :hypotheses (plural) (A
proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations)
I
idea or ideal? : These
exemplar sentences should help: Your IDEA is brilliant.This is an IDEAL spot for a picnic.His IDEALS prevent him from eating meat.
idiosyncrasy (not -cy) : (A behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an
individual)
illegible or ineligible? :ILLEGIBLE = not able to be read, INELIGIBLE = not properly qualified
imaginary or imaginative? : IMAGINARY = existing only in the
imagination. MAGINATIVE = showing or having a
vivid imagination, being creative,
original
immediately :(not immeadiately
or immediatly) (Without delay or
hesitation; with no time intervening)
immense :immensely (not immensly)
(Unusually great in size or amount or
degree or especially extent or scope)
imply or infer? :To IMPLY something is to hint at it: She IMPLIED that there were strong moral objections to his appointment but didn’t
say so in so many words.
To INFER is to draw a conclusion: Am I to INFER from what you say that he is unsuitable for the post?
impossible :(not -able)
imposter/impostor :Both
spellings are correct. The second form (-or) is, however, more common.
impractical or impracticable? :IMPRACTICAL = could be done but not worth
doing. IMPRACTICABLE = incapable of being
done.
incidentally :incidental + ly (not incidently)
incredible :(not -able) (Beyond belief or understanding)
indefensible :(not -able) (incapable of being defended or justified)
indelible :(not -able) (Cannot be removed or erased)
independence :(not -ance)
independent :(not -ant)
index (singular) :indexes
or indices (plural)
indexes or indices? :Both
are acceptable plural forms of ‘index’ but they are used differently. Use INDEXES to refer to
alphabetical lists of references in books. Use INDICES in mathematical, economic and technical contexts.
indispensable :(not -ible) (Absolutely necessary; vitally necessary)
individual :(five syllables) This noun
should correctly be used to distinguish one person from the rest of a group or community: the rights of
the INDIVIDUAL in society.
Informally it is also used in the sense
of ‘person’: an untrustworthy INDIVIDUAL. Avoid this use in formal contexts.
industrial or industrious? :INDUSTRIAL = associated with manufacturing.
INDUSTRIOUS = hard-working
ineffective or ineffectual? :INEFFECTIVE = not producing the desired
effect, an INEFFECTIVE speech . INEFFECTUAL = not capable of producing the desired effect. an INEFFECTUAL speaker
in fact :(two
words) (In reality or actuality)
infer :inferred, inferring, inference (Reason
by deduction; establish by deduction)
inflammable or inflammatory? :INFLAMMABLE = easily bursting into flames,
INFLAMMATORY = tending to
arouse
violent feelings.
information :(not im-)
in front :two
words (not frount) (At or in the front)
ingenious or ingenuous? :INGENIOUS = skilful, inventive, original, INGENUOUS = innocent, unsophisticated
inhuman or inhumane?:INHUMAN = lacking all human qualities, INHUMANE = lacking compassion and kindness
innocuous : (Not injurious to
physical or mental health)
innuendo (singular) :innuendoes or innuendos (plural) (An indirect (and usually malicious) implication)
inoculate :(not -nn-) (Introduce an idea or attitude into the mind
of)
instal/install :Both
spellings are correct. installed, installing, installment/instalment
intelligence :(not -ance)
intelligent :(not -ant)
intentions :(not intensions)
(An anticipated outcome that is intended
or that guides your planned actions)
inter-/intra- :The prefix INTER- means between or among (e.g.
international). The prefix INTRA- means within, on the inside (e.g. intravenous).
interesting :(four syllables, not intresting)
interrogate :(not -r-)
interrupt :(not -r-)
invisible :(not -able)
iridescent :(not -rr-) (Varying in colour when seen in different
lights or from different angles)
irony or sarcasm? :IRONY is subtle, amusing, often witty. SARCASM is deliberately hurtful and intentionally cruel.
Irony comes from a Greek word meaning
‘pretended ignorance’. Sarcasm comes from a Greek word meaning ‘to tear the
flesh with one’s teeth’.
irrational :(not -r-)
irrelevant :(not irrevelant:
think of ‘does not relate’)
irreparable (Impossible to repair,
rectify, or amend)
irrepressible (Impossible to repress or control)
irresistible (Impossible to resist;
overpowering)
irresponsible (Showing lack of care for consequences)
isn’t :Place the apostrophe carefully. (not is’nt)
itinerary :(five syllables, not four as it is often mispronounced and
misspelt) (A proposed route of travel)
its or it’s? :ITS is a possessive
adjective like ‘her’ and ‘his’: The book has lost ITS cover. ITS beauty has faded. IT’S is a contraction of ‘it is’ or ‘it
has’: IT’S very cold today. (= it is) IT’S been a long winter. (=it has)
J
jealous :(not jelous),
jealousy
jeopardise/jeopardize :Both spellings are correct. (Pose
a threat to; present a danger to)
jeopardy :( A source of danger; a
possibility of incurring loss or misfortune)
jewelry/jewellery :Both
spellings are correct. (not jewlery
as the word is often mispronounced)
jodhpurs : (Flared trousers ending
at the calves; worn with riding boots)
journey (singular) : journeys (plural)
judgement/judgment :Both
spellings are correct.
judicial or judicious? :JUDICIAL = pertaining to courts of law and judges , JUDICIOUS = showing good judgment,
wise, prudent.The words are not
interchangeable. There is a clear distinction in meaning, as you can see. A JUDICIAL decision is one reached in a law
court. A JUDICIOUS decision is a
wise and discerning one.
K
keenness :keen + ness (A quick and
penetrating intelligence)
kibbutz (singular) :kibbutzim (plural)
kidnap :kidnapped, kidnapping, kidnapper . An exception to the 2-1-1 rule.
knew or new? :Use these
exemplar sentences as a guide: I KNEW the answer. Nanette has NEW shoes.
knife (singular) :knives (plural)
know or no? :Use these
exemplar sentences as a guide: I KNOW the answer. NO, they
cannot come. We have NO milk
left.
knowledgeable/ knowledgable:
Both spellings are correct.
L
lama or llama? :LAMA = a Buddhist priest, LLAMA = an animal of the camel family
landscape :(not lanscape)
language :(not langage)
larva (singular) : larvae (plural)
later or latter? :LATER is the comparative of ‘late’. (late, later, latest). I will see
you LATER. You are LATER than I expected. LATTER is the opposite of ‘former’. Cats
and dogs are wonderful pets but the
LATTER need regular exercise. Note: use ‘latter’ to indicate the second of two references; use
‘last’ to indicate the final one of three or more.
lay or lie? :The various tenses of these verbs cause a great
deal of unnecessary confusion. Use these
exemplar sentences as a guide: to lay:
I LAY the table early every
morning. I AM LAYING the table now. I HAVE LAID it already. I WAS LAYING the table when you phoned. I LAID the table before I went to bed. My
hen LAYS an egg every morning. She IS LAYING an egg now. She HAS LAID an egg already. She WAS LAYING an egg when you phoned. She LAID an egg every day last week.
to lie (down) I LIE down every afternoon after lunch. I AM LYING down now. I HAVE LAIN down every afternoon this week. I WAS LYING down when you phoned. I LAY down yesterday afternoon.
to lie (= tell a lie) I LIE regularly. I AM LYING to you now. I HAVE LIED all my life. I WAS LYING to you last week. I LIED to you yesterday as well.
lead or led? :LEAD is the present
tense. LED is the past tense. Go in
front and LEAD us home. He went in front
and LED us home.
leaf (singular) :leaves
(plural)
legend or myth? :Both are traditional
tales but legends usually have some basis in fact (e.g. Robert the Bruce and the spider, King Alfred
and the cakes, Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest).
Myths are supernatural tales, often involving gods or giants, which serve to
explain natural events or phenomena (e.g. Pandora’s Box and the coming of evil
into the world, The Seven Pomegranate Seeds and the seasons of the year and so
on).
leisure (not -ie-) : (Time available for ease and relaxation)
liaise liaison :(not liase/liason) (Act between parties
with a view to reconciling differences)
libel or slander? :Both refer to
statements damaging to a person’s character: LIBEL is written; SLANDER is spoken.
library :(not libary)
libretto (singular) :
libretti or librettos (plural) (The words of an opera or musical play)
licence or license? :LICENCE is a
noun. We can refer to a licence or the licence or your licence: Do you have
your driving LICENCE with you? LICENSE is a verb: The restaurant is LICENSED for the consumption of alcohol.
licorice/liquorice :Both
spellings are correct.
lieutenant
life (singular) :lives (plural)
lighted/lit :Both
forms are correct.
lightening or lightning?: LIGHTENING comes from the verb ‘to lighten’
and so you can talk about: LIGHTENING a heavy load or LIGHTENING the colour of your hair.
LIGHTNING is the flash of light we get in the sky during a thunderstorm.
liqueur or liquor? :A
LIQUEUR is a sweet, very strong, alcoholic
drink usually taken in small glasses after a meal.
LIQUOR refers to any alcoholic drink.
literati :(Not litterari) This word is used to
describe well-read and well-educated people who love literature.
loaf (singular) :loaves
(plural) (A quantity of food
(other than bread) formed in a particular shape)
loath, loathe or loth? :LOATH and LOTH are interchangeable spellings and
mean unwilling or reluctant: I was LOATH/LOTH to hurt his feelings. LOATHE means to detest: I LOATHE snobbery.
loathsome :loathe + some = loathsome This
word means detestable.
lonely :(not lonley)
loose or lose? Use
these exemplar sentences as a guide: I have a LOOSE tooth. (rhymes with moose)
Don’t LOSE your temper. (rhymes with snooze)
loping or lopping? :lope
+ ing = loping. He was LOPING along with long strides. (Run
easily)
lop + ing = lopping. LOPPING the trees will just encourage them
to grow taller. (Cut off from a
whole)
a lot :(never alot) (To a very great degree or extent) Remember that this is a slang
expression
and should never be used in a formal
context. Substitute ‘many’ or recast the sentence altogether.
lovable/loveable :Both spellings are correct.
luggage :(not lugage)
luxuriant or luxurious? :LUXURIANT = growing abundantly. LUXURIANT vegetation LUXURIOUS = rich and costly, sumptuous.
a LUXURIOUS hotel
M
machinery :(not -ary)
madam or madame? :Use
MADAM:
maintenance :(not maintainance)
manager :(not manger,
as is so often written!)
mango (singular) :mangoes or mangos (plural)
manoeuvre
mantelpiece (not mantle-)
mantelshelf (not mantle-)
margarine (not margerine)
marihuana/marijuana Both spellings are correct.
masterful or masterly? :MASTERFUL = dominating. MASTERLY = very skilful
mathematics :(not mathmatics)
mating or matting? :mate
+ ing = mating. mat + ing = matting
matrix (singular) :matrices or matrixes (plural)
meant :(not ment, not mean’t) (Mean or intend to
express or convey)
medal or meddle? :MEDAL = a small metal disc given as an honour. to MEDDLE = to interfere
mediaeval/medieval :Both
spellings are correct.
medicine :(not medecine)
medicinal
mediocre
Mediterranean
medium (singular) :media or mediums (plural) Note, however, that the two plurals
differ in meaning. The MEDIA hounded
him to his death. (= radio, television, newspaper journalists) She consulted a
dozen MEDIUMS in the hope of making
contact with her dead husband. (= people through whom the spirits of the dead
are said to communicate)
memento (singular) :mementoes or mementos (plural) (A reminder of past events)
memorandum (singular) :memoranda or memorandums
(plural) (A written proposal or reminder)
memory (singular) :memories (plural)
messenger :(not messanger)
metaphor :(not metaphore)
A metaphor is a compressed comparison:
meteorology :(six syllables) (The earth science dealing with
phenomena of the atmosphere (especially weather))
meter or metre? :Use these exemplar
sentences as a guide: Put these coins in the parking METER. You’ll need a METRE of material to make a skirt. Sonnets
are always written in iambic METRE.
milage/mileage :Both
spellings are correct. (Distance measured
in miles)
milieu (singular) :milieus
or milieux (plural) (The
environmental condition)
militate or mitigate? :To MILITATE (against) comes from the Latin verb
meaning ‘to serve as a soldier’ and it has the combative sense of having a powerful
influence on something. Despite his excellent qualifications, his youthful criminal record MILITATED against his appointment as school bursar. To MITIGATE comes from the Latin adjective meaning ‘mild’ and it means to moderate,
to make less severe. Don’t condemn the young man too harshly. There are MITIGATING circumstances.
millennium (singular) :millennia or millenniums (plural) (not -n-)
millepede/millipede :Both spellings are correct.
mimic :mimicked, mimicking
miniature
minuscule :(not miniscule)
minute :(not minuit)
miscellaneous miscellany
mischievous :(not mischievious,
as it is often mispronounced) (Naughtily
or annoyingly playful)
modern : (not modren)
moment :(not momment)
momentary or momentous? :MOMENTARY = lasting for only a very short time.
MOMENTOUS = of great
significance
monastery (singular) :monasteries (plural) (The
residence of a religious community) (not monastry/monastries)
mongoose (singular) :mongooses
(plural) (not mongeese)
monotonous (Sounded or spoken in a tone unvarying in pitch)
moping or mopping? :mope + ing = moping (Someone who wastes time), mop + ing =
mopping
moral or morale? :Use
these exemplar sentences as a guide: Denise is guided by strong MORAL principles.
My MORALE suffered badly when I failed my exams and I lost all faith in
myself for years.
mosquito (singular) :mosquitoes (plural)
motto (singular) :mottoes or mottos (plural)
N
naive/naı¨ve :Both forms are correct. (Marked by or showing unaffected
simplicity and lack of guile or worldly experience)
nationalise or naturalise? to NATIONALISE
= to transfer ownership from the private sector to the state. to NATURALISE = to confer full citizenship on a
foreigner
nebula (singular) :nebulae
or nebulas (plural)
no body or nobody? :Use these
exemplar sentences as a guide: It was believed that he had been murdered but NO BODY was ever found, and so nothing could
be proved. (= no corpse)
NOBODY likes going to the dentist. (= no one)
none :The problem with ‘none’ is deciding whether to use with it a
singular or a plural verb. Strictly speaking, a singular
verb should accompany ‘none’: NONE of the passengers WAS hurt. (= not one) NONE of the milk WAS spilt.
(= not any) Colloquially, a singular verb is always used with expressions of quantity but a plural verb is often used
when plural nouns follow the ‘none of . . .’ construction: NONE of the passengers WERE hurt. NONE of my friends LIKE pop music. NONE of the children WANT an icecream. Some would reserve plural verbs in these cases for informal occasions; others would see them as perfectly
acceptable formally as well.
no one :‘No one’ is singular and requires a singular verb: NO ONE likes meanness. ‘No one’ should be written as two
words and not hyphenated.
noticeable :(not noticable)
nucleus (singular) :nuclei (plural)
nuisance :( A bothersome annoying
person)
nursery (singular) :nurseries
(plural)
O
oasis (singular) :oases (plural)
obedience :(not -ance) (The act of obeying)
obedient :(not -ant)
occasion :occasional
(not -ss-) occasionally , occasional + ly
occur :occurred,
occurring, occurrence
o’clock :Take
care with the punctuation of this contraction. The apostrophe represents the omission
of four letters: o’clock = of the clock Do not write: o’Clock, O’Clock or o,clock.
of or off? :These
exemplar sentences may help: He is the youngest OF four children. (pronounced ov)
Jump OFF the bus. (rhymes with cough)
official or officious? :OFFICIAL =
authorised, formal. an OFFICIAL visit. an OFFICIAL invitation. OFFICIOUS = fussy, self-important, interfering. an OFFICIOUS secretary. an OFFICIOUS waiter
often :(not offen)
one :This
can be a useful impersonal pronoun:
ophthalmologist :(not opth-) (A medical doctor specializing in the
diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the eye)
opinion :(not oppinion)
organise/organize : Both spellings are
correct.
ours :There are eight possessive pronouns: mine, thine, his, hers, its,
ours, yours,theirs. They never need an apostrophe:
This house is OURS.
outrageous :(not outragous)
(Grossly offensive to decency or
morality; causing horror)
ovum (singular) :ova (plural)
P
palate, palette, pallet :PALATE = the top part
of the inside of your mouth. PALETTE = a small board with a hole for the thumb which an artist uses
when mixing paints. PALLET = a platform used to lift and to carry goods
paparazzo (singular) :paparazzi
(plural) (A freelance photographer who
pursues celebrities trying to take candid photographs of them to sell to
newspapers or magazines)
paralyse/paralyze : Both spellings are
correct. (Make powerless and unable to
function)
paralysis : (Loss of the ability to move a
body part)
parent :(not perant)
parenthesis (singular) :parentheses (plural)
partake or participate? :PARTAKE = to share with others (especially
food and drink). PARTICIPATE = to join in an activity; to play a part
in. They PARTOOK solemnly of lamb, herbs and
salt. Will you be able to PARTICIPATE in the firm’s pension scheme?
partner :(not partener)
passed or past? :Use these
exemplar sentences as a guide: You PASSED me twice in town yesterday. In the PAST, women had few rights. In PAST times, women had few rights. I walk PAST your house every
day.
passenger :(not passanger)
pastime :(not -tt-)
payment :(not paiment)
peace or piece? :There
were twenty-one years of PEACE between
the two wars. Would you like a PIECE of pie?
peculiar (not perc-) (Beyond or deviating from the usual or
expected)
pedal or peddle? :a
PEDAL = a lever you work with
your foot. PEDDLE = to sell (especially drugs)
penicillin
peninsula or peninsular? :PENINSULA is a noun meaning a narrow piece of land jutting out from the mainland
into the sea. It is derived from two Latin words: paene (almost) and insula (island).
people :(not peple)
perhaps :(not prehaps)
period :(not pieriod)
permanent :(not -ant)
perseverance :(not perser-)
personal or personnel? :Sarah has taken all her PERSONAL belongings with her. She was upset by a barrage of PERSONAL remarks. All the PERSONNEL will be trained in first aid. Write
to the PERSONNEL office and see if
a vacancy is coming up. (Note the
spelling of personnel with -nn-)
perspicacity or perspicuity? :PERSPICACITY = discernment, shrewdness,
clearness of understanding PERSPICUITY = lucidity, clearness of expression
phenomenon (singular) :phenomena (plural)
pigmy/pygmy (singular) :pigmies/pygmies (plural)
pining or pinning? :pine
+ing = pining (Have a desire for
something or someone who is not present)
pin + ing = pinning
plateau (singular) :plateaus or plateaux (plural) (A relatively flat highland)
pleasant :(not plesant)
pneumonia
possible :(not -able)
possible or probable? :POSSIBLE = could happen. PROBABLE = very likely to happen.
potato (singular) :potatoes (plural)
practical or practicable? : A PRACTICAL
person is one who is good at doing and making things. A PRACTICAL suggestion is a
sensible, realistic one that is likely to succeed. A PRACTICABLE suggestion is merely
one that will work. The word ‘practicable’ means ‘able to be put into
practice’. It does not carry all the additional meanings of
‘practical’.
practice or practise? :Use these exemplar sentences as a guide: PRACTICE makes perfect. An hour’s PRACTICE every day will yield returns. The young doctor has built up a busy
PRACTICE. In the examples above, ‘practice’ is a noun. You should PRACTISE every day. PRACTISE now! In these examples, ‘practise’ is a verb.
precede or proceed? :PRECEDE = to go in front of. PROCEED = to carry on, especially after having stopped.
Prefer :preferred, preferring, preference
present :(not -ant)
primitive :(not -mat-)
principal or principle? :Use these exemplar sentences as a guide: Rebuilding the school is
their PRINCIPALaim. (= chief)
The PRINCIPAL announced the
results. (= chief teacher) His guiding PRINCIPLE was to judge no one hastily. (= moral rule)
privilege :(not privelege
or priviledge)
probably :(not propably)
procedure :(not proceedure)
proclamation :(not -claim-)
profession :(not -ff-)
prognosis (singular) :prognoses (plural) (A
prediction about how something (as the weather) will develop)
program or programme? :Use PROGRAM when referring to a computer program. Use PROGRAMME on all other occasions.
prominent :(not -ant) (Having a quality that thrusts itself into
attention)
pronounceable :(not pronouncable)
pronunciation :(not pronounciation)
propaganda :(not propo-) (Information that is spread for the purpose of promoting some cause)
prophecy or prophesy? :These two words look very similar
but are pronounced differently. The last syllable of PROPHECY rhymes with ‘sea’; the last syllable
of PROPHESY rhymes with ‘sigh’. Use the
exemplar sentences as a guide: Most
of us believed her PROPHECY that the world would end on
31 December. (prophecy = a noun) In the example above, you could substitute the
noun ‘prediction’.
We all heard him PROPHESY that the world would end at the weekend. (prophesy = a verb) In the
example above, you could substitute the verb ‘predict’.
publicly :(not publically)
Q
quarrel :quarrelled, quarrelling (Have
a disagreement over something)
questionnaire :(not -n-)
queue :queued, queuing or queueing
quiet or quite? :The
children were as QUIET as
mice.(quiet = two syllables) You are QUITE right. (quite = one
syllable)
R
radiator :(not -er)
radically :radical
+ ly (In a radical manner)
radius (singular) :radii or radiuses (plural)
raise or rise? :Let us look
at these two words first as verbs (doing words): My landlord has decided to RAISE the rent. He RAISED the rent a year ago. He has RAISED the rent three times in four years. My expenses
RISE all the time. They ROSE very steeply last year. They have RISEN steadily this
An increase in salary is called ‘a
rise’ in the UK and ‘a
raise’ in America.
raping or rapping? :rape + ing = raping, rap + ing = rapping
rapt or wrapped? :RAPT = enraptured (RAPT in thought) WRAPPED = enclosed in paper or soft material
raspberry :(not rasberry)
ratable/rateable :Both
spellings are correct.
realise/realize :Both
spellings are correct.
really :real + ly
recent or resent? :RECENT = happening not long ago, RESENT = to feel aggrieved and be indignant recipe
recognise/recognize :Both
spellings are correct.
recover or re-cover? :Bear
in mind the difference in meaning that the hyphen makes: RECOVER = get better, regain possession.
RE-COVER = to cover again
refectory :(not refrectory)
(A communal dining-hall (usually in a
monastery))
refer :referred, referring, referee, reference
referee or umpire? :REFEREE = football, boxing. UMPIRE = baseball, cricket, tennis.
refrigerator :(abbreviation = fridge)
regal or royal? :REGAL = fit for a king or queen; resembling the behaviour of a king or queen.
ROYAL = having
the status of a king or queen, or being a member of their family .
regret :regretted, regretting, regrettable, regretful
relevant :(not revelant)
remember :(not rember)
repellent or repulsive?:Both words mean ‘causing disgust or aversion’.
REPULSIVE, however, is the stronger
of the two; it has the sense of causing ‘intense
disgust’, even horror in some circumstances.
REPELLENT can also be used in the sense of being able to repel particular pests
(a mosquito repellent) and in the sense of being impervious to certain substances
(water-repellent).
repetition :(not -pit-)
repetitious or repetitive? :Both words are derived from ‘repetition’. Use REPETITIOUS when you want to criticise something
spoken or written for containing tedious and excessive repetition.
‘Repetitious’ is a derogatory term. Use REPETITIVE when you want to make the point that
speech, writing or an
activity involves a certain amount
of repetition (e.g. work on an assembly line in a factory). ‘Repetitive’ is a neutral word.
reservoir :From
‘reserve’. (not resevoir)
responsibility :(not -ability)
responsible :(not -able)
restaurateur :(not restauranteur)
(The proprietor of a restaurant)
resuscitate :(not rescusitate)
(Cause to regain consciousness)
reverend or reverent? :REVEREND = deserving
reverence; title for a cleric. The Revd. C. Benson The Rev. C. Benson .REVERENT = showing reverence REVERENT pilgrims
reversible :(not -able)
rheumatism
rhubarb
rhyme
rhythm
ridiculous :(not rediculous) The word comes from the
Latin ridere, meaning ‘to laugh’.
rigorous or vigorous? :RIGOROUS = exhaustive, very thorough, exacting physically or mentally. VIGOROUS = full of energy
robing or robbing? robe + ing = robbing, rob
+ ing = robbing
Romania/Rumania :Both
spellings are correct.
roof (singular) :roofs (plural) (not rooves)
S
sacrifice :(not sacra-)
sacrilege :(not sacra-)
safely :safe + ly
sanatorium (singular) :sanatoria or sanatoriums (plural)
sandwich :(not sanwich)
scan :Scan has a number of meanings in different subject areas: " It can mean to analyse the metre of
a line of poetry. " It can
mean ‘to look at all parts carefully in order to detect irregularities’ (as in
radar SCANNING and body SCANNING). " It can mean to read intently and quickly in order to establish the relevant
points. When we talk of ‘just SCANNING the headlines’, we shouldn’t mean
‘glancing quickly over them without taking them in’. Scanning is a very
intensive and selective
process.
scarcely :This word needs care both in spelling and in usage. (Only a very short time before, Almost
not)
scarf (singular) :scarfs or scarves (plural)
scaring or scarring? :scare + ing = scaring (Cause fear in), scar + ing = scarring. A
mark left (usually on the skin) by the healing of injured tissue)
scenery :(not -ary)
sceptic or septic? :A SCEPTIC is one who is inclined to doubt or
question accepted truths. SEPTIC is an adjective meaning ‘infected by bacteria’ (a SEPTIC wound). It also describes the
drainage system in country areas which uses bacteria to aid decomposition (SEPTIC drainage, a SEPTIC tank).
Scotch, Scots or Scottish? :Use SCOTCH only in such phrases as SCOTCH broth, SCOTCH whisky, SCOTCH eggs, SCOTCH mist and so on. When referring to
the people of Scotland,
call them the SCOTS or the
SCOTTISH. The term SCOTCH can cause offence. The words SCOTS is often used in connection with aspects of language: He has a
strong SCOTS accent.
The SCOTS language is quite distinct from English. What is the SCOTS word for ‘small’? We also talk about SCOTS law being different from English
law. In connection with people, we have therather formal terms Scotsman/Scotsmen and Scotswoman/Scotswomen. Remember also
the Scots Guards. SCOTTISH is used rather more generally to
refer to aspects of landscape and
culture: SCOTTISH history, SCOTTISH dancing, SCOTTISH traditions, SCOTTISH universities, the SCOTTISH Highlands
seasonable or seasonal? :SEASONABLE = normal for the time of year
(SEASONABLE weather) SEASONAL = happening at a
particular. season (SEASONAL employment)
secretary (singular) :secretaries
(plural) (not secer-)
seize :(not -ie-)
self (singular) :selves (plural)
Sellotape :(not cellotape)
sensual or sensuous? :SENSUAL = appealing to the body (especially
through food, drink and sex) SENSUOUS = appealing to the senses aesthetically
(especially through music, poetry, art)
sentence :(not -ance)
sentiment or
sentimentality? :SENTIMENT = a sincere
emotional feeling., SENTIMENTALITY = over-indulgent, maudlin wallowing in emotion
(sometimes with the suggestion of falseness and exaggeration)
sentimental :This adjective comes from both ‘sentiment’ and ‘sentimentality’
and so can be used in a fairly neutral way as well as a
pejorative way: SENTIMENTAL value (from sentiment) for SENTIMENTAL reasons (from sentiment) sickly SENTIMENTAL
songs (from sentimentality)
separate :(not seperate) Remember that there is A
RAT in sep/A/RAT/e.
separate :separated, separating, separation
sergeant :(not sergant)
serviceable: (not servicable)
sew or sow? :Use these
exemplar sentences as a guide: Sarah can SEW and knit beautifully. She is SEWING her trousseau now. She SEWED my daughter’s christening gown by hand. She has SEWN all her life. The best time to SOW broad beans is in the autumn. He’s
out now SOWING parsley and sage. He SOWED seed that he saved from the year
before. He has SOWN the last
of the lettuce seed.
sewage or sewerage? :SEWAGE = the waste products carried off by
means of sewers. SEWERAGE = the provision of a drainage system
shaming or shamming? :shame + ing = shaming, sham + ing =
shamming
sheaf (singular) :sheaves (plural) (A
package of several things tied together for carrying or storing)
shear or sheer? :SHEAR is a verb (a doing word) and means to cut off. SHEER is an adjective and means very
thin (SHEER material), almost perpendicular (a SHEER cliff) or wholehearted (SHEER delight).
sheikh :(also
sheik, shaikh, shaykh – but these are less usual spellings) (The leader of an Arab village or family)
shelf (singular) :shelves (plural)
sheriff :(not -rr-) (The principal law-enforcement officer in a
county)
shining or shinning? :shine
+ ing = shining, shin + ing = shinning
shriek :(not shreik) (A high-pitched noise resembling a human
cry)
shy :shyer, shyest Follows the -y rule.
shyly :(exception to the -y rule)
shyness :(exception to the -y rule)
siege :(not -ei) (The action of an armed force that surrounds
a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack)
silhouette
silicon or silicone? :SILICON = element used in electronics industry (SILICON chip), SILICONE = compound containing
silicon and used in lubricants and polishes and in cosmetic surgery (SILICONE
implants)
simile :(not similie)
(A figure of speech that
expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds) A simile is a
comparison, usually beginning with ‘like’ or ‘as’/‘as if’.
sincerely :sincere + ly (not sincerly)
singeing or singing? : singe + ing = singeing
, sing + ing = singing
sirocco/scirocco :Both
spellings are correct. (A windstorm that
lifts up clouds of dust or sand)
siting or sitting? :site + ing = siting (Assign
a location to) sit + ing = sitting
slily/slyly :Both
spellings are correct but the second is more commonly used. (In an artful manner)
sloping or slopping? :slope
+ ing = sloping, slop + ing = slopping
sly slyer, slyest
sniping or snipping? :snipe + ing = sniping, snip + ing = snipping
sobriquet/soubriquet :Both
spellings are correct. (A familiar name
for a person)
social or sociable? :SOCIAL =
related to society. a SOCIAL worker, a SOCIAL problem,SOCIAL policy, SOCIAL housing. SOCIABLE = friendly. a very SOCIABLE person
soldier :Take care with the spelling of this word. (soldiers of the Queen,
not soliders!)
somebody :(not sombody)
something :(not somthing)
some times or sometimes? :Use the exemplar sentences as a
guide: There are SOME TIMES when I want to leave college. (= some
occasions) SOMETIMES I want to leave college. (=occasionally)
sovereign :(exception to the -ie- rule) ((of
political bodies) not controlled by outside forces)
speech :(not speach)
stationary or stationery? : STATIONARY = standing still (a STATIONARY car) , STATIONERY = notepaper and envelopes
stiletto (singular) :stilettos
(plural) (A small dagger with a tapered
blade)
stimulant or stimulus? :Both words are related to
‘stimulate’ but there is a difference in meaning: A STIMULANT is a temporary
energizer like drink or drugs. A STIMULUS is something that motivates (like competition).
stimulus (singular) :stimuli (plural)
storey (plural storeys) or story (plural stories)? :STOREY = one floor or level in a building. A
bungalow is a single- STOREY structure. A tower block can have
twenty STOREYS. STORY = a tale. I read a STORY each night to my little brother. Children love STORIES.
strategem or strategy? :STRATEGEM = a plot, scheme,sometimes a trick,
which will outwit an opponent or overcome a difficulty. STRATEGY = the overall plan for conducting a
war or achieving a major objective
strategy or tactics? :STRATEGY = the overall plan or policy for achieving an objective. TACTICS = the procedures necessary
to carry out the strategic policy.
stratum (singular) :strata (plural)
subtle : (Difficult to detect or
grasp by the mind or analyse)
success (singular) :successes (plural)
sufferance (Patient endurance
especially of pain or distress)
suggest :(not surjest)
supersede :(not -cede) (Take the place or move into the position of)
supervise :(not -ize)
surfeit :(not -ie-,
exception to rule) (The state of being
more than full)
surprise :(not suprise
or surprize)
surreptitious : (Conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods)
survivor :(not -er)
swam or swum? :Note these tenses of ‘to swim’: I SWAM the Channel last year. I have SWUM the Channel five times.
swinging or swingeing?:swing + ing = swinging, swinge + ing
= swingeing
syllabus (singular) :syllabuses
or syllabi (plural)
synchronise/ synchronize: Both spellings are correct.
synopsis (singular) :synopses (plural)
T
tableau (singular) :tableaux (plural) (A
group of people attractively arranged (as if in a painting))
taping or tapping? :tape
+ ing = taping. tap + ing = tapping
tariff :(not -rr-)
taught or taut? :Use
these exemplar sentences as a guide: Mrs Jenkins TAUGHT maths. Hold the line TAUT. Pull it tight.
tee shirt/T-shirt :Both
versions are correct.
temperature (four syllables)
tempo (singular) : tempi or tempos (plural) (The rate of some repeating event)
tendency :(not -ancy)
terminus (singular) :termini or terminuses (plural) (A place where something ends or is complete)
terrible :(not -able) (Causing fear or dread or terror)
testimonial or testimony? : TESTIMONIAL = formal statement in the form
of an open letter bearing witness to someone’s character,
qualifications and relevant experience. TESTIMONY = formal written or spoken statement of evidence,
especially in a court of law
thank you or thank-you? :(never thankyou!) I should like to THANK YOU very much for your help.THANK YOU for your help. I have
written all my THANK-YOU letters.You will see that ‘thank you’ is NEVER
written as one word. It is
hyphenated only when used as a compound adjective describing ‘letter’ or another noun.
their, there or they’re? :Use these exemplar sentences as a
guide: They have sold THEIR house. He
is waiting for you over THERE. THERE is no point in lying to me. THEY’RE going to Krakow for Christmas. (= they are)
theirs :(no apostrophe) This is my dog; THEIRS has a white patch on his forehead.
themselves :They blame
THEMSELVES for the crash. They
THEMSELVES were there.
thesis (singular) :theses (plural) (An
unproved statement put forward as a premise in an argument)
thief (singular) : thieves (plural)
threshold :(not -hh-) (The starting point for a new state or experience)
tiny :(not -ey)
titbit :(not tidbit) (A small tasty bit of food)
to, too or two? :You should give this TO the police. Do you know how TO swim? (part of infinitive = to swim)
I was TOO embarrassed to say anything. (= excessively) Can we come TOO? (= also) They have TWO houses, one in London
and one in France.
tolerant :(not tollerant
or tolerent) (Showing respect for the
rights or opinions or practices of others)
tomato (singular) :tomatoes (plural) (an exception to rule)
tomorrow :(not tommorrow)
tonsillitis (Inflammation of the tonsils (especially the
palatine tonsils))
tornado (singular) :tornadoes or tornados (plural)
torpedo (singular) :torpedoes (plural) (an exception to rule) (A professional killer who uses a gun)
tortuous or torturous? :TORTUOUS = full of twists and turns,complex,
convoluted. TORTUROUS = painful, agonising,
excruciating
toupee (not toupe´ e) (A small hairpiece to cover partial baldness)
traffic :trafficked, trafficking, trafficker
tragedy :(not tradgedy)
tragic :(not tradgic)
transfer :transferred, transferring, transference
transpire :Strictly speaking, this verb has two meanings: " to give off moisture (of plant or
leaf) " to come slowly
to be known, to leak out (of secret information)
It is often used loosely in the
sense of ‘to happen’. Why not use ‘to happen’ instead of this rather pompous
word?
travel :travelled, travelling, traveller
trivia :This is a plural noun and should be matched with a plural verb. Such
TRIVIA are to be condemned. (Something of small importance)
troop or troupe? :TROOP refers
to the armed forces or to groups of people or particular animals: a TROOP of scouts, a TROOP of children, a TROOP of monkeys TROUPE refers to a group of touring actors,
dancers, musicians or other entertainers.
trooper or trouper? TROOPER = cavalry
soldier or member of an armoured unit. He swears like a TROOPER at nine years old. TROUPER = a touring entertainer. Jack
Densley is a grand old TROUPER.
truly :(not truely,
an exception to the -y rule)
tumulus (singular) :tumuli (plural) ((archeology)
a heap of earth placed over prehistoric tombs)
turf (singular) :turfs or turves (plural) (Surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and
grass roots)
twelfth :(not twelth,
as it is often mispronounced)
U
ultimatum (singular) :ultimata or ultimatums (plural) (A final peremptory demand)
umbrella :(not umberella)
underlay or underlie? :Use these
exemplar sentences as a guide: to UNDERLAY = to lay or place under. You should UNDERLAY
the carpet with felt if your floorboards are very uneven.
I UNDERLAID this carpet
with very thick felt because the floorboards were so uneven. This carpet IS UNDERLAID with felt. to UNDERLIE = to be situated under(esp. rocks) Granite
UNDERLIES the sandstone
here.
Granite UNDERLAY the sandstone, as we soon
discovered. The sandstone here IS UNDERLAIN by granite.also:
The UNDERLYING problem is
poverty.
underrate :under + rate
undoubtedly
unequivocally :unequivocal + ly (not unequivocably) (In an
unambiguous manner)
unexceptionable or unexceptional? :UNEXCEPTIONABLE = inoffensive, not likely
to cause criticism or objections
UNEXCEPTIONAL = ordinary, run-of-the-mill
unget-at-able :(not un-get-at-able)
(Difficult to reach or attain)
unique :Remember, that ‘unique’ is absolute. It means ‘the only one of its
kind’. Something is either unique or it’s not. It can’t be ‘quite unique’
or ‘very unique’.
unmanageable :(not unmanagable)
unmistakable/ unmistakeable
:Both spellings are correct.
unnatural :un +
natural
unnecessary :un + necessary
until :(not untill)
upon :(not apon)
upstairs :(one
word)
urban or urbane? :URBAN = relating to a town or city. URBAN population. URBANE = suave, courteous
usurper (not -or) :( One who wrongfully or illegally seizes and holds the place of
another)
V
Vase :(An open jar of glass or porcelain used as an ornament or
to hold flowers)
vegetable :(not vegtable)
vehicle :(not vechicle)
vengeance :(not vengance)
(The act of taking revenge)
ventilation :(not venta-)
veracity or voracity? :VERACITY = truthfulness, VORACITY = greed
veranda/verandah :Both
spellings are correct.
vertebra (singular) :vertebrae (plural) (One
of the bony segments of the spinal column)
veterinary (five syllables!)
vice versa : (With the order reversed)
vicious : ((of persons or their
actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering)
view
vigorous :(not vigourous)
(Characterized by forceful and energetic
action or activity)
vigour (Forceful
exertion)
virtuoso (singular) :virtuosi or virtuosos (plural) (Someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field)
visible :(not -able)
visitor :(not -er)
vocabulary :(five syllables)
volcano (singular) :volcanoes or volcanos (plural)
voluntary (Of your own free will
or design; done by choice; not forced or compelled)
volunteer :volunteered, volunteering
vortex (singular) :vortexes or vortices (plural) (The shape of something rotating rapidly)
W
waist or waste? :Use these exemplar sentences as a
guide: Tie this rope around your WAIST. Don’t WASTE paper. What
do you do with WASTE paper? Industrial
WASTE causes pollution.
waive or wave? :WAIVE = to give something up or
not exact it. I shall WAIVE the fine
on this occasion. WAVE = to
move something to and fro. WAVE to the Queen.
wander or wonder? :I love to WANDER through the forest. (rhymes with
girl’s name, Wanda). I WONDER what has happened to him. (rhymes with ‘under’)
weak or week? :WEAK = feeble, WEEK = seven
days
weather or whether? :Use these exemplar sentences as a guide: The
WEATHER this winter has been awful. I don’t know WHETHER I can help. (= if)
Wednesday :(not Wensday)
weir :(exception to the -ie- rule) (A
low dam built across a stream to raise its level or divert its flow)
weird (exception to the -ie- rule) (Strikingly
odd or unusual)
were or where? :Use these
exemplar sentences as a guide: We WERE walking very fast. (rhymes with ‘her’) WHERE are you? (rhymes with ‘air’) Do you
know WHERE he is? This is the house WHERE I was born.
wharf (singular) :wharfs or wharves (plural) (A platform built out from the shore into
the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats)
whilst :(exception to magic -e rule) (At
the same time that)
whiskey or whisky? :WHISKEY is distilled in Ireland.
WHISKY is distilled in Scotland.
wholly :(exception to the magic e- rule) (To a complete degree or to the full or entire extent)
who’s or whose? :Use
these exemplar sentences as a guide: WHO’S been eating my porridge? (= who has)
WHO’S coming
to supper? (= who is). WHOSE calculator
is this? (= belonging to whom) There’s a girl WHOSE cat was killed.
wife (singular) :wives
(plural)
wilful :(not willful)
(Habitually disposed to disobedience and
opposition)
wining or winning? :wine
+ ing = wining, win + ing = winning
withhold :(not withold) (Hold back; refuse to hand over or share)
wolf (singular) :wolves
(plural)
woman (singular) :women (plural)
woollen :(not woolen)
worship :worshipped, worshipping, worshipper
wreath or wreathe? :Use
these exemplar sentences as a guide: She lay a WREATH of lilies on his grave. (= noun)
Look at him WREATHED in cigarette smoke. (verb, rhymes
with ‘seethed’)
writer :(not writter)
wry :wrier
or wryer, wriest or wryest (Humorously
sarcastic or mocking)
wryly :(exception to the y- rule) (In
a wry manner)
Y
Yacht :( An expensive vessel
propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing)
yoghurt/youghourt/ yougurt :All these
spellings are correct. (A custard-like
food made from curdled milk)
yoke or yolk? :Use these
exemplar sentences as a guide: The YOKE of the christening gown was beautifully embroidered. The oxen were
YOKED together. She will eat only
the YOLK of the egg.
your or you’re? :Use these
exemplar sentences as a guide: YOUR essay is excellent. (= belonging to you) YOU’RE joking! (= you are), yours This is YOURS. No apostrophe needed!
Z
Zealous :( Marked by active interest
and enthusiasm)
Zealously
Zimmer frame :( A light enclosing framework (trade name Zimmer) with rubber
castors or wheels and handles; helps invalids or the handicapped or the aged to
walk)
zloty (singular) :zloties or zlotys (plural) (The basic unit of money in Poland)
zoological :( Concerning the study of
animals and their classification and properties)
zoology
