Spell Like a Pro: Easy Tips for 10 Difficult English Spelling Words
Some words consistently challenge even the most adept spellers. In today’s blog post, we’ll delve into ten words that are particularly tricky and offer mnemonic devices to help you remember how to spell them.
- Accommodation
Definition: Lodging or a place to stay.
Why it’s difficult: Spellers often forget the double ‘c’ and double ‘m’ in this word.
Mnemonic device: The mnemonic ‘two cots need two mattresses’ will remind you of the double c and double m in accommodation.
- Conscience
Definition: An inner feeling or voice that acts as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one's behaviour.
Why it’s difficult: The latter part of this word sometimes trips people up because its spelling is different to its sound.
Mnemonic device: Look for the word science within conscience to help you remember how to spell the end of this word. Try breaking it down: con – sci – ence.
- Rhythm
Definition: A strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound.
Why it’s difficult: Rhythm is an unsual word because it does not contain vowels except the y sound. Spellers often mix up the order of the letters.
Mnemonic device: The mnemonic ‘rhythm helps your two hips move’ uses the first letters of each word to spell rhythm.
- Separate
Definition: To set apart; to distinguish or divide.
Why it’s difficult: Because of the way this word is pronounced, people sometimes incorrectly use the letter e in place of the first a in this word.
Mnemonic device: Use the word rat to remind you that there is an a in the middle of the word, not an e. It also might help to remind yourself that each letter a in this word is separated by the letter r.
- Misspell
Definition: To spell incorrectly.
Why it’s difficult: Spellers often forget the double s in this word.
Mnemonic device: Think of a spelling teacher called ‘Miss Pell’ to remind you that this word contains a double s.
- Necessary
Definition: Required to be done; needed.
Why it’s difficult: Spellers often forget the double c and double s in this word.
Mnemonic device: The mnemonics ‘one collar, two sleeves’ or ‘one cup, two spoons’ will remind you that this word is spelt with one c and a double s.
- Minute
Definition: A unit of time equal to sixty seconds or one sixtieth of an hour. Infinitely or immeasurably small
Why it’s difficult: This word is confusing for spellers because its spelling is different to its sound. When referring to a unit of time, this word is pronounced min-it. When describing something tiny, this word is spelt mine-newt.
Mnemonic device: Look for the word nut within minute to help you remember how to spell the latter part of the word.
- Beautiful
Definition: Pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically.
Why it’s difficult: The unique eau letter combination in beautiful is uncommon in English spelling, making the spelling difficult to remember.
Mnemonic device: Use the mnemonic ‘bright eyes aren’t ugly’ to help you remember how to spell the first half of this word.
- Embarrass
Definition: To cause someone to feel awkward, self-conscious, or ashamed.
Why it’s difficult: Spellers often forget the double r and double s in this word.
Mnemonic device: Use the mnemonic ‘double r and double s causes me spelling distress’ to remember how to spell embarrass.
- Weird
Definition: Suggesting something supernatural; uncanny.
Why it’s difficult: This word defies the common ‘i before e except after c’ rule and is often misspelt due to its irregular spelling pattern.
Mnemonic device: ‘We are weird,’ reminding you that weird starts with we.
Learning challenging spellings takes patience and practice. Mnemonic devices provide effective tools to aid memory and can transform the daunting task of spelling into an engaging exercise.
Are there any spellings you always struggle with? Check out our blog post on how to create an effective mnemonics or sign up for a Spellzone free trial. You’ll be a spelling expert in no time!
25 Jul 2024
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