Commonly Misspelled Words

The list addresses some of the most commonly misspelled words by most writers. In most cases, examples of correct usage or a definition is provided.

accept, except

Accept means to receive (she will accept your apology); except means to exclude (everyone except Sam may attend the play).

affect, effect

Affect, as a verb, means to influence; affect, as a noun, should be avoided unless used to describe an emotion. Effect, as a verb, means to cause, effect as a noun, means result.

already, all ready

Already indicates time (The report has already been sent to the printer.); all ready means inclusive and is not as commonly used (The writer discovered the report was not all ready.).

alright, all right

Alright is a misspelling of all right and should not be used.

among, between

In general, among introduces a relationship of more than two (the collaboration among the writer, editor and publisher), whereas between introduces two items (the agreement between the author and editor).v

amount, number

Amount is used for non-counting items (the amount of flour called for in the recipe); number is used for counting items (the number of clowns in the parade).

assure, ensure, insure

Assure means to put someone's mind at ease (let me assure you...); ensure and insure both mean to make sure (ensure is the preferred use unless referring to insurance).

compliment, complement

A compliment is a statement of praise or an action of giving praise, or an expression of courtesy; complement is something that fills something or makes it complete (the bracelet complements the dress).

complimentary, complementary

Complimentary describes something that is given free of charge, as a courtesy (valet parking is complimentary); complementary is used to describe the relationship of one item to complete another (the husband and wife have complementary careers).

could of, could have

Could of is the incorrect use of could have or the contraction could've.

discreet, discrete

Discreet means careful and prudent; discrete means separate or distinct.

farther, further

Farther refers to distance (the store is six mile farther down the main road); further means greater in quantity, time or extent (are than any further questions).

fewer, less

Fewer refers to counting items (fewer clowns in the parade) and less refers to non-counting items (use less flour in the recipe).

foreword, forward

A foreword is a preface of a book (a few words before the book begins). Forward refers to being in advance, a direction (the company will move forward with its plans).

its, it's

Its is the possessive pronoun (the dog can't make up its mind between eating and going for a walk); whereas it's is the contraction of it is (it's a shame you can't attend).

lay, lie

Lay means to place; lie means to recline.

precede, proceed

Precede means to come before (your reputation precedes you), and proceed means to move forward (shall we proceed to the next chapter).

sight, site, cite

Sight refers to vision, site is a place, and cite means to document.

than, then

Than is a conjunction used in comparisons (This is better than that); then is an adverb referring to time (First this, then that).

their, there, they're

Their is the possessive pronoun (they own their own home); there refers to a place or location (the old schoolhouse is there); and they're is the contraction of they are (they're a very happy couple).

to, too, two

To is used in infinitive verbs (to do, to see) and in expressions referring to direction (go to the office); too means excessively (you're too loud); and two refers to the number 2.

weather, whether

Weather refers to the conditions outside such as sunny, hot, cool, etc. Whether refers to alternatives (it's not clear whether he likes this drink or this drink).

who's, whose

Who's is contraction of who is (who's that girl). Whose is the possessive case of who (whose book is this).

your, you're

Your is the possessive pronoun (bring your books to class); you're is the contraction of you are.

References:

The Associated Press. (2000). The Associated Press stylebook and briefing on media law. Norm Goldstein, ed. Perseus Publishing. Cambridge, MA.

Markel, M. (2004). Technical communication. (7th ed.) Bedford/St. Martin's. Boston.