Spelling Rules & Exercises
Rules, lists, poems, and exercises to help you improve your spelling in English.
Spelling Rules
Spelling rules are a bit like weather forecasts: we may use them, but we really can't depend on them to be right 100% of the time. Nevertheless, many writers find that certain rules help them to remember how to spell particular types of words, especially those formed by adding suffixes (or endings). Here we'll look at the four spelling rules that should be most helpful.
Spelling rules are a bit like weather forecasts: we may use them, but we really can't depend on them to be right 100% of the time. Nevertheless, many writers find that certain rules help them to remember how to spell particular types of words, especially those formed by adding suffixes (or endings). Here we'll look at the four spelling rules that should be most helpful.
Quiz on 25 Commonly Misspelled Words
In each of the following pairs, only one is a word; the other is a common misspelling of that word. See if you can identify the correctly spelled word in each set.
In each of the following pairs, only one is a word; the other is a common misspelling of that word. See if you can identify the correctly spelled word in each set.
The Spell Checker Poem
We set the record straight on that well-traveled poem about spell checkers--"Candidate for a Pullet Surprise." The poem endures as a cautionary tale for all those who place too much trust in spell checkers.
We set the record straight on that well-traveled poem about spell checkers--"Candidate for a Pullet Surprise." The poem endures as a cautionary tale for all those who place too much trust in spell checkers.
Writers on English Spelling
English spelling is complicated, inconsistent, and often downright ornery. But don't take our word for it. Consider what some well-known writers have had to say about English orthography.
English spelling is complicated, inconsistent, and often downright ornery. But don't take our word for it. Consider what some well-known writers have had to say about English orthography.
Commonly Misspelled Words (Part 1)
A list of 200 of the most commonly misspelled words.
A list of 200 of the most commonly misspelled words.
Commonly Misspelled Words (Part 2)
Part Two of our list of 200 commonly misspelled words.
Part Two of our list of 200 commonly misspelled words.
Commonly Misspelled Words (Part 3)
The final part of our list of 200 commonly misspelled words.
The final part of our list of 200 commonly misspelled words.
Review Exercise: Spelling
Practice your spelling skills by completing the following exercises.
Practice your spelling skills by completing the following exercises.
The Chaos, by Charivarius (Gerard Nolst Trenité)
Composed by Dr. Gerard Nolst Trenité (1870-1946), "The Chaos" illustrates many of the irregularities of English spelling (orthography) and pronunciation.
Composed by Dr. Gerard Nolst Trenité (1870-1946), "The Chaos" illustrates many of the irregularities of English spelling (orthography) and pronunciation.