Overview

English spelling is irrational and often frustrating. The basic spelling rules are helpful but have many exceptions. Yet good spelling is crucial to good writing. A misspelled word not only makes you appear incompetent, it can also change the meaning of the sentence around it. Take the time to learn the spelling rules and the major irregularities. Look up a word in a dictionary whenever you are unsure of its spelling.

Don't rely completely on a computerized spelling checker. Such electronic aids are helpful, but they aren't foolproof. A word can be wrong and still be spelled correctly, such as three for tree or that for than. Computers don't have your reasoning ability, so proofread carefully.

Some words are frequently misspelled because they contain unusual letter combinations, don't follow spelling rules, or are not spelled the way they are pronounced. Other words are often confused with words that have similar pronunciations or spellings. Reviewing lists of these words and keeping your own personal list of words you habitually misspell can help you triumph over challenging words.

Improve your spelling by being an avid reader and noticing and remembering common spelling patterns.