Spelling and capitalisation

Spell checker

With the spell checker, you need to ensure the spell check is on the correct setting, e.g. English (New Zealand) if you are studying in New Zealand. Spelling mistakes are indicated by a red squiggly line. Unfortunately, the dictionary within your spell check is not extensive so it may not know some of the more academic or technical words you use. In addition, it will not pick up mistakes if the mistake is a valid word, for example, if you type ‘form’ instead of ‘from’. Computer spell checkers are useful editing tools, but they can never replace human knowledge of spelling rules, homonyms, and commonly misspelled words.

Grammarly is a free add-on to the web browser Chrome which can help with identification of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Grammarly also includes a thesaurus and gives explanations for corrections.

Dictionaries

Use an online dictionary (e.g. dictionary.com, thefreedictionary.com) or a paper dictionary like the Oxford English Dictionary to check any words that you are unsure how to spell.

Proof reading

After you have read through your essay, ask someone to have another look for any spelling or grammatical mistakes.

English can be confusing because there are many words that sound or look similar and it is easy to choose the wrong one. Try our spelling test of some of the more commonly misspelled words.

Activity

Choose the correct spelling.

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You can find some more commonly misspelled words, as well as clues to help remember the spelling at Oxford Dictionaries. You can also use the online dictionary on the same website.

The best way to master new words is to understand the key spelling rules. Keep in mind, however, that some spelling rules carry exceptions. A spell checker may catch these exceptions, but knowing them yourself will prepare you to spell accurately on the first try.

You may want to try memorising each rule and its exception like you would memorise a rhyme or lyrics to a song.

Write i before e except after c, or when pronounced ay like “neighbour” or “weigh.”

Achieve, niece, alien
Receive, deceive

When words end in a consonant plus y, drop the y and add an i before adding another ending.

Happy + er = happier
Cry + ed = cried

When words end in a vowel plus y, keep the y and add the ending.

Delay + ed = delayed
Memorise the following exceptions to this rule: day, lay, say, pay = daily, laid, said, paid

When adding an ending that begins with a vowel, such as -able, -ence, -ing, or -ity, drop the last e in a word.

Write + ing = writing
Pure + ity = purity

When adding an ending that begins with a consonant, such as -less, -ment, or -ly, keep the last e in a word.

Hope + less = hopeless
Advertise + ment = advertisement

For many words ending in a consonant and an o, add -s when using the plural form.

Photo + s = photos
Soprano + s = sopranos

Add -es to words that end in s, ch, sh, and x.

Church + es = churches
Fax + es = faxes

Activity

Identify and correct misspelled words.

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Eight Tips to Improve Spelling Skills

Read the words carefully

And avoid skimming over the page. Focusing on your written assignment word by word will help you pay close attention to each word’s spelling. Skimming quickly, you may overlook misspelled words.

Use mnemonic devices

To remember the correct spelling of words. Mnemonic devices, or memory techniques and learning aids, include inventive sayings or practices that help you remember. For example, the saying “It is important to be a beautiful person inside and out” may help you remember that beautiful begins with “be a.” The practice of pronouncing the word Wednesday Wed-nes-day may help you remember how to spell the word correctly.

Use a dictionary

Many professional writers rely on the dictionary—either in print or online. If you find it difficult to use a regular dictionary, ask your instructor to help you find a “poor speller’s dictionary.”

Use your computer’s spell checker

The spell checker will not solve all your spelling problems, but it is a useful tool. See the introduction to this section for cautions about spell checkers.

Keep a list

You will often misspell the same words again and again, but do not let this discourage you. All writers struggle with the spellings of certain words; they become aware of their spelling weaknesses and work to improve. Be aware of which words you commonly misspell, and you can add them to a list to learn to spell them correctly.

Look over corrected papers

Add these misspelled words to your list and practise writing each word four to five times each. Writing teachers will especially notice which words you frequently misspell, and it will help you excel in your classes if they see your spelling improve.

Test yourself with flashcards

Sometimes the old-fashioned methods are best, and for spelling, this tried and true technique has worked for many students. You can work with a peer or alone.

Review the common spelling rules

Take the necessary time to master the material; you may return to the rules in this section again and again, as needed.