Have you ever doubted yourself when writing a simple word in English? You’re not alone. English spelling can be confusing, and even native speakers make mistakes. But for international students in ESL programs, getting these spellings right is a big step toward mastering the language.
In this post, we’ll explore 15 frequently misspelled words, explain why they cause trouble, and give you memory tricks to help you spell them right. This list is part of your learning journey at Language Systems, where we believe that small details, like spelling, can make a big difference.
Why Are There So Many Frequently Misspelled Words in English?
English spelling doesn’t always match pronunciation. Some words are borrowed from other languages. Others just look strange. And let’s be honest, sometimes it feels like the rules change for no reason!
Understanding why you misspell a word helps you fix the problem. Patterns, silent letters, double consonants, and homophones are some of the common reasons learners struggle.
Now let’s dive into our frequently misspelled word list!
1. Definitely
Mistake: Definately, definitly, definently
This is one of the most frequently misspelled words because it doesn’t sound like it’s spelled. Many learners forget the second “i” or replace it with an “a.”
Tip: Think of the word finite inside it: de+finite+ly. That root word can help you anchor the correct spelling.
2. Separate
Mistake: Seperate
The issue with this word is its misleading pronunciation. It sounds like it should have an “e” in the middle, so your instinct may guide you wrong.
Tip: “There’s a rat in separate.” Picture a little rat running between the letters—it’s a quirky trick that works!
3. Accommodation
Mistake: Acommodation, accomodation
You’re not the only one confused by the double c’s and m’s. This word is long and has repeating letters that are easy to overlook.
Tip: Think of it like this: you’ll need extra room (mm) and cushion (cc) when you book your accommodation.
4. Embarrass
Mistake: Embarass, embaras
People often forget one of the double letters, especially the r or s. But they’re both necessary!
Tip: Imagine being so embarrassed that your cheeks turn red not once but twice—rr and ss.
5. Occurrence
Mistake: Occurence, ocurrence
A classic example of a word that feels repetitive and difficult to nail down because of its doubled consonants and tricky ending.
Tip: Break it up: occur + rence. Practice saying it slowly and writing it multiple times to lock it in.
6. Their / There / They’re
Mistake: Mixing them up
These homophones sound the same but have different meanings. They’re often confused in both writing and speaking.
Tip:
- Their = shows ownership (Their car is red)
- There = refers to a place (The book is over there)
- They’re = short for they are (They’re going to school)
Learning to identify the context is key!
7. Maintenance
Mistake: Maintainance, maintanence
Even though it comes from the word maintain, the spelling changes when turned into a noun, and that throws learners off.
Tip: Think of it as: main + ten + ance. Even if you pronounce it differently, spelling it this way will keep you accurate.
8. Calendar
Mistake: Calender
Ending this word with -er feels right for many learners, but in English, it ends in -ar.
Tip: Remember it like this: “dar” is at the end—calen-dar. You can even mark it down on your calendar!
9. Receive
Mistake: Recieve
This is one of the top misspelled English words, even for native speakers. That tricky vowel order often trips up writers.
Tip: Stick to the rule: “i before e, except after c.” That’s why receive is correct and recieve is not.
10. Believe
Mistake: Belive, beleive
Another one where the “i before e” rule helps. But some people get it mixed up because the word sounds so smooth.
Tip: Remember: “i before e” works here because there’s no “c” before the vowel combination. You must believe in the rule!
11. Restaurant
Mistake: Restuarant, restraunt
The way this word is pronounced doesn’t clearly reflect the spelling, especially for learners hearing it for the first time.
Tip: Break it into pieces: rest + au + rant. Visual memory helps you remember the sequence.
12. February
Mistake: Febuary
That sneaky first “r” is silent in most accents, so it’s easy to forget it when spelling.
Tip: Try saying it slowly and completely: Feb-ru-ary. Write it out several times while saying it to reinforce the correct form.
13. Misspell
Mistake: Mispell
This is a bit of spelling irony—it’s one of the most commonly misspelled English words, and it literally means to spell something wrong.
Tip: It’s a combination of mis (a prefix meaning wrong) and spell. That’s why it needs two s’s.
14. Vacuum
Mistake: Vaccum, vacume
The double “u” is confusing and feels unnatural. Many learners either forget one or replace it with another vowel.
Tip: Visualize the “uu” like the suction of a vacuum—pulling in words, sounds, and air!
15. Convenient
Mistake: Convienent, conveniant
The middle vowel placement in this word is tricky. Learners often swap “ie” or use the wrong ending.
Tip: Break it into chunks: con + ven + ient. Try repeating it aloud while writing. The pattern will start to stick.
Patterns in Frequently Misspelled English Words
Understanding common patterns helps you avoid future mistakes. Here are some to watch for:
Double Consonants Confusion
Words like accommodation, embarrass, and misspell often trip up learners because of repeated consonants. It’s hard to know when a letter should be doubled—and when it shouldn’t. Some learners add extra letters, while others leave them out entirely.
This happens because English doesn’t always follow a visible rule for double consonants. In some cases, a prefix or suffix influences the spelling (as in misspell, from mis + spell). In others, the word comes from another language and keeps its original form (accommodation from Latin).
Practice tip: Make a list of common words with double letters and write them in groups (e.g., embarrass, address, possess). Highlight or circle the double consonants as you go. Repetition is key to making them stick!
Vowels in the Wrong Order
Many misspelled English words happen because vowels like “i” and “e” seem to switch places randomly. Words like receive, believe, and convenient are tough because you can’t always rely on sound to guide you.
Learners often apply the “i before e except after c” rule, but it doesn’t always work. That’s because English includes exceptions, borrowed terms, and old forms. The trick is to memorize the correct spelling of high-frequency words and recognize patterns over time.
Practice tip: Write “ie” and “ei” word lists. Sort them into columns. Then read them aloud daily and use them in short sentences. Visual and verbal repetition together will help reinforce correct spelling in your memory.
Silent Letters
Silent letters are one of the most confusing spelling issues in English. Words like February, Wednesday, and psychology include letters you never pronounce, but you still need to write them.
Why do silent letters exist? Mostly because English has absorbed vocabulary from many languages—Latin, French, and Greek—where silent letters were originally pronounced. Over time, the pronunciation evolved, but the spelling didn’t.
Practice tip: Break words down into syllables, even if some letters are silent. For example, say Feb-ru-a-ry or WED-nes-day while writing. This helps you visualize the spelling and structure, making it easier to remember.
Exercises to Practice Misspelled Words
Want to train your brain to spell better? Try these:
Exercises to Practice Misspelled Words
Want to train your brain to spell better? Try these:
1. Spelling Pyramids
Build the word letter by letter:
R
Re
Rec
Rece
Recei
Receiv
Receive
This helps you memorize the structure visually and mentally.
2. Fill-in-the-Blank
Try writing sentences with missing letters:
I will _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the email tomorrow. (Receive)
3. Flashcards
Use digital or paper flashcards with a tricky word on one side and a memory tip on the other.
4. Peer Challenge
Challenge a friend at Language Systems! Quiz each other on 10 difficult words a week.
Learning together makes it easier—and more fun.
Tips to Avoid Spelling Mistakes in English
Here are some smart strategies ESL students can start using right away:
Read More in English
Reading regularly in English is one of the most natural ways to improve your spelling. When you read articles, books, blogs, or even social media posts written in correct English, you expose yourself to the correct spelling of words over and over again.
The more you read, the easier it becomes to recognize when a word “looks wrong”—even if you’re not sure why. Your brain develops a visual memory of words, which helps reduce spelling errors when writing.
Reading tip: Choose material that interests you, such as news, short stories, or books at your English level. Use a highlighter or app to mark new or difficult words and review them later.
Use a Spelling App
Technology can be your best friend when it comes to spelling. Spelling and language apps like Grammarly, Quizlet, and Magoosh offer tools specifically designed for learners who want to practice commonly misspelled English words.
These apps offer spelling correction, memory games, flashcards, and quizzes, which make learning interactive and personalized. Some even provide voice recognition so you can spell words aloud and check your accuracy.
✅ Practice idea: Use an app to create a custom word list based on the words you struggle with the most. Review your list daily and track your progress over time.
Keep a “Misspelled Words” Journal
Everyone makes spelling mistakes, but the key is to learn from them. Keeping a “misspelled words” journal is a great way to track your learning journey. Each time you write something and realize you’ve misspelled a word (or get corrected by an app or teacher), add that word to your journal.
Next to each word, write the correct spelling, a memory trick, and maybe even a short sentence using it. Over time, you’ll build a personalized spelling reference tailored to your needs.
Journal structure idea:
- Wrong: embarass
- Right: embarrass
- Tip: “You blush twice—double R, double S!”
- Sentence: I always embarrass myself when I try to sing in public.
Say the Word Out Loud as You Spell
This is a simple but powerful tip—say the word slowly, out loud, as you spell it. This engages both your auditory and visual memory, which makes the spelling stick better. Even if a word has silent letters (like February), hearing yourself spell it helps reinforce the correct structure.
For example, spelling out:
“f-e-b-r-u-a-r-y” while saying each letter makes it easier to remember that hidden “r.”
Extra benefit: Saying the word aloud also helps with pronunciation, which improves your overall communication skills—not just spelling!
Ready to Master These Frequently Misspelled Words?
Improving your spelling is not just about memorization—it’s about understanding the language. Every mistake is a learning opportunity, and now you have tips, tools, and examples to support your journey.
At Language Systems, we know that learning English isn’t always easy, but with practice and the right support, you’ll get there.Want to go even further? Check out our ESL programs and start building your English skills from spelling to speaking fluently.
