Spelling Slip-Ups: Everyday Words People Often Get Wrong (and Clever Ways to Get Them Right)
We all stumble over certain words when writing, even the ones we use all the time. Some spellings just refuse to stick – whether it’s too many double letters, missing vowels, or letters that sound like they shouldn’t be there.
In this post, we’ll explore commonly misspelled words and share helpful, learner-friendly tricks for remembering them. These are words you’ll see often, so it’s well worth taking a moment to get familiar with their quirks. By the end, you’ll have a set of easy-to-recall strategies to tackle even the most troublesome spelling words.
1. Why Do These Words Trip Us Up?
Before we jump into the list, let’s ask: why do we keep getting these words wrong? Here are a few key reasons:
- They don’t sound like they’re spelled – English pronunciation is notoriously inconsistent.
- Silent letters and awkward combinations – like rhythm or special.
- Double letters – does it need one or two? Which one gets doubled?
- Homophones – words that sound the same but are spelled differently (affect vs. effect).
- Words we know but rarely have to write – sometimes we know what a word means, but freeze when trying to spell it.
2. Commonly Misspelled Words and Mnemonics
Below is a list of common spelling errors and simple, memorable ways to get them right:
| Word |
Why It’s Tricky |
Spelling Tip / Mnemonic |
| Necessary |
People confuse the number of Cs and Ss |
One [c]up, two [s]ugars – tea is necessary for a good day! |
| |
|
Or: Never Eat Crisps, Eat Salad Sandwiches And Remain Young
|
|
Separate
|
The middle section causes confusion
|
Separate the two [a]s with an [r]
|
| |
|
Or: Spot the rat in sepa[rat]e
|
|
Rhythm
|
No vowels – visually difficult
|
Rhythm Helps Your Two Hips Move
|
|
Affect / Effect
|
People mix up meaning and spelling
|
Affect = Action, Effect = End result
|
|
Embarrass
|
Double R and double S are hard to track
|
I go [r]eally [r]ed when my [s]ister [s]ings
|
|
Laugh
|
Doesn’t look like it sounds
|
Laugh And yoU Get Happy
|
|
Believe / Belief
|
I/E confusion
|
Try not to be[lie]ve a lie
|
|
Familiar
|
The tricky middle section
|
That liar looks fami[liar]
|
|
Because
|
Common early word, but often misspelt
|
Big Elephants Can Always Understand Small Elephants
|
| Horror |
Often misspelt with an e |
Think of the shocked face :-O – It’s all Os in horror! |
| Special |
Unusual cia letter combination |
The CIA have spe[cia]l agents |
3. Top Tips for Tackling Difficult Words
Don't let common spelling errors trip you up! Try these learner-friendly strategies:
- Use Mnemonics
You’ve just seen how effective memory tricks can be—create your own to make a word stick.
- Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check
Simple but powerful: read the word, say it aloud, hide it, write it, check it, repeat.
- Spot Patterns
Double letters? Unexpected vowels? Identify your usual traps so you can slow down when writing those words.
- Keep a Word Notebook
Write down words you regularly misspell and add your own memory aid beside each one.
- Learn Actively
Don’t just read a tricky word – use it in a sentence, spell it aloud, or quiz yourself the next day.
4. The Benefits of Getting Common Words Right
Learning to spell these high-frequency words accurately will:
-
Build your confidence in writing.
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Improve your marks or grades at school.
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Help you write emails, applications, and posts more smoothly.
-
Stop you second-guessing every time you need to type because or believe!
Small changes make a big difference over time and starting with commonly misspelled words is a smart way to build momentum.
Make Spelling Work for You
Even confident writers can fall into the same traps over and over again. But with the right tools, spelling mistakes in everyday words can become a thing of the past.
If you're ready to tackle more troublesome spelling words and want to practise with games, quizzes, and targeted lists, Spellzone has everything you need to make confident spelling second nature. Start a free trial today.
20 Jun 2025
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