Spelling

The obvious advice here is if you doubt the spelling of a word, then consult a dictionary. However, Noah Webster developed the following rules for the frequently troublesome question of whether to double a final consonant in forming -ing or -ed endings on verbs:

-- If the stress in pronunciation is on the first syllable, do not double the consonant: travel, traveling, traveled; cancel, canceling, canceled.

-- If the stress in pronunciation is on the second syllable, double the consonant: control, controlling, controlled; refer, referring, referred.

-- If the word has only one syllable, double the consonant except for those words that have a double vowel before the final consonant: jut, jutted, jutting; coat, coated, coating.

Every usage manual includes a listing of words frequently misspelled. The following list represents 30 words most writers assume they know how to spell, but often don't.

accommodate                 memento
achieve noticeable
auxiliaryoccasion
believeoccurrence
benefitedpaid
camaraderiepastime
commitmentprerogative
definitelyprivilege
desperaterecur (not reoccur)
embarrassreference
excellentrehearsal
exerciserhythm
fliersseparate
grammartruly
harassweird

Don't use shortened forms of words such as thru (for "through"), tho (for "though"), or til (for "until").

Caution: Many word processing computer programs, as well as some electronic typewriters, are equipped with spell-checking features that can automatically correct misspelled words. However, often a writer's misspelled word is another word (such as "bran" instead of "brand" or "fist" instead of "first").

Don't trust any writing tool to catch all your errors. Proofread your product.

HR

back to Index

back to Aids for Bulletin Editors