CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html><html lang="en-US" dir="ltr"> <head> <script> !function(r,i,t){var u,o=/^data-(.+)/,a='IntersectionObserver',c=/p/.test(i.readyState),s=[],f=s.slice,l='lazied',e='load',n='pageshow',d='forEach',h='hasAttribute',m='shift';function v(e){i.head.appendChild(e)}function p(e,n){f.call(e.attributes)[d](n)}function y(e,n,t,o){return o=(o=n?i.getElementById(n):o)||i.createElement(e),n&&(o.id=n),t&&(o.onload=t),o}function b(e,n){return f.call((n||i).querySelectorAll(e))}function I(t){b('source',t)[d](I),p(t,function(e,n){(n=o.exec(e.name))&&(t[n[1]]=e.value)}),e in t&&t[e]()}function g(e){u(function(o){o=b(e||'[type=deferjs]'),function e(n,t){(n=o[m]())&&(n.parentNode.removeChild(n),(t=y(n.nodeName)).text=n.text,p(n,function(e){'type'!=e.name&&(t[e.name]=e.value)}),t.src&&!t[h]('async')?(t.onload=t.onerror=e,v(t)):(v(t),e()))}()})}(u=function(e,n){c?t(e,n):s.push(e,n)}).all=g,u.js=function(n,t,e,o){u(function(e){(e=y('SCRIPT',t,o)).src=n,v(e)},e)},u.css=function(n,t,e,o){u(function(e){(e=y('LINK',t,o)).rel='stylesheet',e.href=n,v(e)},e)},u.dom=function(e,n,t,o,i){function c(e){o&&!1===o(e)||(I(e),t&&(e.className+=' '+t))}u(function(t){t=a in r&&new r[a](function(e){e[d](function(e,n){e.isIntersecting&&(n=e.target)&&(t.unobserve(n),c(n))})},i),b(e||'[data-src]')[d](function(e){e[h](l)||(e.setAttribute(l,''),t?t.observe(e):c(e))})},n)},u.reveal=I,r.Defer=u,r.addEventListener('on'+n in r?n:e,function(){for(g();s[0];t(s[m](),s[m]()))c=1})}(this,document,setTimeout); </script>   <link rel="preconnect" href="https://config.playwire.com" crossorigin /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://cdn.intergi.com" crossorigin /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://cdn.intergient.com" crossorigin /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net" crossorigin /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://cdn.playwire.com" crossorigin /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://cdn.video.playwire.com" crossorigin /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://cdn.video.playwire.com" crossorigin /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://z.moatads.com" crossorigin />  <script> var current_date = 2025-02-21; var current_year = 2025; var current_day = 21; var current_month = 02; </script> <meta charset="utf-8" /><link rel="canonical" href="https://www.infoplease.com/arts-entertainment/writing-and-language/ten-tips-better-spelling" /><meta name="referrer" content="origin" /><meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" /><meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /><meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /><style>div#sliding-popup, div#sliding-popup .eu-cookie-withdraw-banner, .eu-cookie-withdraw-tab {background: #7fdae8} div#sliding-popup.eu-cookie-withdraw-wrapper { background: transparent; } #sliding-popup h1, #sliding-popup h2, #sliding-popup h3, #sliding-popup p, #sliding-popup label, #sliding-popup div, .eu-cookie-compliance-more-button, .eu-cookie-compliance-secondary-button, .eu-cookie-withdraw-tab { color: #ffffff;} .eu-cookie-withdraw-tab { border-color: #ffffff;}#sliding-popup.sliding-popup-top { position: fixed; }</style><script type="application/ld+json">{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Webpage", "headline": "Ten Tips for Better Spelling", "name": "Ten Tips for Better Spelling", "description": "T", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "representativeOfPage": "True", "url": "https://www.factmonster.com/themes/fm/logo.png" }, "datePublished": "2017-03-10T03:19:28-0500", "dateModified": "2018-08-07T00:20:20-0400", "isAccessibleForFree": "True", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Fact Monster Staff", "url": "https://www.factmonster.com/about-us#Our%20Editors" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Fact Monster", "url": "https://www.factmonster.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.factmonster.com/themes/fm/logo.png", "width": "280", "height": "100" } }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "Webpage", "@id": "https://www.factmonster.com/ten-tips-better-spelling" } } ] }</script><link rel="icon" href="/themes/fm/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /><script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];var j=d.createElement(s);var dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl+'';j.async=true;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-PT2QL9');</script><meta name="robots" content="max-image-preview:large" /> <title>Ten Tips for Better Spelling | FactMonster</title> <link rel="dns-prefetch stylesheet" href="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/font-awesome/4.6.3/css/font-awesome.min.css"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1, user-scalable=no"> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/factmonster.com/files/css/css_DvQSFCwdR6j5PyFgZAItj8MwGfwr2GEsTj2N7n_QdwM.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=fm&include=eJxtjEEOwjAMBD8U6o_wh8h13BLq1BAnReH1JEhw6mV3NFqt4Lt5UQwgP5oGXTvEfXXWrHCCGY0daWa4Pyvn5pYEq-iMcrHSZCy5elLdIvdKD4m4E8OZ9IEXrFLGB20cYtH8f6FqRZM_NPahMWa6wYlzR-SXwTenpKEKfwBxUU-y" /><link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/factmonster.com/files/css/css_iY7lc17vadR8aQwqqlS9_m5Qvlk_LKsgo5kPHiMzWrA.css?delta=1&language=en&theme=fm&include=eJxtjEEOwjAMBD8U6o_wh8h13BLq1BAnReH1JEhw6mV3NFqt4Lt5UQwgP5oGXTvEfXXWrHCCGY0daWa4Pyvn5pYEq-iMcrHSZCy5elLdIvdKD4m4E8OZ9IEXrFLGB20cYtH8f6FqRZM_NPahMWa6wYlzR-SXwTenpKEKfwBxUU-y" /> <link rel="preload" as="image" href="/themes/fm/logo.svg" /></head> <body class="user-logged-out not-front path-node page-node-type-article head-title-Ten-Tips-for-Better-Spelling---FactMonster" > <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-PT2QL9" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <header> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="navbar-header"> <button type="button" class="navbar-toggle" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#block-fm-main-menu"> <span class="sr-only">Toggle navigation</span> <span class="icon-bar"></span> <span class="icon-bar"></span> <span class="icon-bar"></span> </button></div> <a href="/" title="Home" rel="home" class="fm-logo"> <img src="/themes/fm/logo.svg" alt="Home" /> </a> <button class="fm-search-toggle"><span class="fa fa-search"></span></button><button class="fm-nav-search-close"><span class="fa fa-close"></span></button><div class="search-api-page-block-form-search search-api-page-block-form search-form search-block-form container-inline block" data-drupal-selector="search-api-page-block-form-search" id="block-searchapipagesearchblockform"> <form action="/ten-tips-better-spelling" method="post" id="search-api-page-block-form-search" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-search form-item-keys js-form-item-keys form-no-label"> <label for="edit-keys" class="visually-hidden">Search</label> <input title="Enter the terms you wish to search for." data-drupal-selector="edit-keys" type="search" id="edit-keys" name="keys" value="" size="15" maxlength="128" placeholder="Search" class="form-search" /> <span class="field-suffix"><div class="voice-search-block"><img src="/modules/contrib/custom_voice_search/images/mic.png" title="Use your microphone to enter your search" /></div></span> </div><input autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="form-h2idqjobuqre-m0kxahurxh7mrlbyhrqkefc8hik-7a" type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-h2iDqjobuQRe_M0kXAHUrXH7MrlByhrqkEfc8hiK_7A" /><input data-drupal-selector="edit-search-api-page-block-form-search" type="hidden" name="form_id" value="search_api_page_block_form_search" /><div data-drupal-selector="edit-actions" class="form-actions js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" id="edit-actions--3"><input class="search-form__submit button js-form-submit form-submit" data-drupal-selector="edit-submit" type="submit" id="edit-submit--3" name="op" value="Search" /></div></form> </div> </div> </div> </header> <nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-fm-main-menu-menu" id="block-fm-main-menu" id="block-fm-main-menu" class="navigation"> <h2 class="visually-hidden" id="block-fm-main-menu-menu">Main navigation</h2> <ul class="nav navbar-nav container"> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/games" class="dropdown-toggle drop-down-icon" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/365787">Games</a> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li> <a href="/math/roman" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/450716">Roman Numeral Challenge</a> </li> <li> <a href="/math/flashcards" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/450721">Math Flashcards</a> </li> <li> <a href="/games/hangman" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/409426">Hangman</a> </li> <li> <a href="/games/samegame" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/450706">Same Game</a> </li> <li> <a href="/games/tictactoe" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/450731">Tic Tac Toe</a> </li> <li> <a href="/games/1010classic" target="_self" rel="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/454326">1010 Classic</a> </li> <li> <a href="/games/mergeit" target="_self" rel="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/454331">MergeIt</a> </li> <li> <a href="/games/simonsays" target="_self" rel="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/454336">Simon Says</a> </li> <li> <a href="/word-searches" target="_self" rel="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/454026">Word Searches</a> </li> <li> <a href="/polls" target="_self" rel="" data-drupal-link-system-path="polls">This or That Polls</a> </li> <li> <a href="/more-quizzes-0" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/364666">Quizzes & Trivia</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/world" target="_self" rel="" class="dropdown-toggle drop-down-icon" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/362151">World</a> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li> <a href="/world/countries" data-drupal-link-system-path="world/countries">Countries</a> </li> <li> <a href="/history/world" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324680">World History & Timelines</a> </li> <li> <a href="/world/world-statistics-and-facts" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324652">World Stats & Facts</a> </li> <li> <a href="/world/wide-world-war" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324651">War</a> </li> <li> <a href="/world/current-events" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324677">Current Events</a> </li> <li> <a href="/world/geography/world-geography" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324653">World Geography</a> </li> <li> <a href="/world/religion" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324659">Religion</a> </li> <li> <a href="/world/natural-disasters" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324701">Natural Disasters</a> </li> <li> <a href="/world/accident-archive" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324702">Accident Archive</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/us" class="dropdown-toggle drop-down-icon" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/362149">U.S.</a> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li> <a href="/history/us" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324674">U.S. History</a> </li> <li> <a href="/us/government" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324654">Government</a> </li> <li> <a href="/us/us-geography" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324662">U.S. Geography</a> </li> <li> <a href="/us/education" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324675">Education</a> </li> <li> <a href="/us/laws-and-rights" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324655">Laws & Rights</a> </li> <li> <a href="/us/national-landmarks" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324679">National Landmarks</a> </li> <li> <a href="/explore-all-fifty-us-states" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/384681">The Fifty States</a> </li> <li> <a href="/us/cities" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324676">U.S. Cities</a> </li> <li> <a href="/us/united-states-population" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324661">U.S. Population</a> </li> <li> <a href="/us/race-and-ethnicity" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324673">Race & Ethnicity</a> </li> <li> <a href="/us/postal-information" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/362058">Postal Information</a> </li> <li> <a href="/us/documents-and-speeches" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324656">Speeches & Documents</a> </li> <li> <a href="/us/states/us-state-flags-alabama-louisiana" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/362532">U.S. State Flags</a> </li> <li> <a href="/us/timeline-archive" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/362741">Timelines</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/biographies" class="dropdown-toggle drop-down-icon" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/362130">People</a> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li> <a href="/people/facts-about-people-around-world" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324650">People Fun Facts</a> </li> <li> <a href="/biographies/notable-people" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324666">Biographies</a> </li> <li> <a href="/biographies/women-influence" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324641">Women of Influence</a> </li> <li> <a href="/biographies/government-politics/us-presidents" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/300328">U.S. Presidents</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/math-science" class="dropdown-toggle drop-down-icon" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/362139">Math & Science</a> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li> <a href="/math-science/mathematics" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/362119">Math</a> </li> <li> <a href="/math-science/biology" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324681">Biology</a> </li> <li> <a href="/math-science/earth-environment/earth-sciences" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324683">Earth Sciences</a> </li> <li> <a href="/math-science/earth-environment" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/362046">Environment, Energy, and Nature</a> </li> <li> <a href="/math-science/health" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324643">Health and Body</a> </li> <li> <a href="/math-science/dinosaurs" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324705">Dinosaurs</a> </li> <li> <a href="/math-science/inventions-and-inventors" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324672">Inventions and Inventors</a> </li> <li> <a href="/math-science/chemistry" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324682">Chemistry</a> </li> <li> <a href="/math-science/physics" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324686">Physics</a> </li> <li> <a href="/math-science/weather" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324658">Weather</a> </li> <li> <a href="/math-science/health/fitness-nutrition/food" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324670">Food</a> </li> <li> <a href="/math-science/general-science" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324660">General Science</a> </li> <li> <a href="/math-science/computers-technology-and-the-internet" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324657">Computers, Technology and the Internet</a> </li> <li> <a href="/math-science/inventions-discoveries/trains-planes-automobiles-and-ships" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/362047">Transportation</a> </li> <li> <a href="/math-science/space/exploration" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324647">Astronomy and Space</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/culture-entertainment/books-writing" class="dropdown-toggle drop-down-icon" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/362108">Language Arts</a> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li> <a href="/culture-entertainment/mythology-folklore/creature-catalog" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324645">Creature Catalog</a> </li> <li> <a href="/culture-entertainment/journalism-literature" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324644">All About Books</a> </li> <li> <a href="/features/grammar-and-spelling" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324671">Grammar and Spelling</a> </li> <li> <a href="/features/speaking-language" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324648">Speaking of Language</a> </li> <li> <a href="/culture-entertainment/mythology-folklore" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324663">Mythology</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/homework-help/homework-help-study-tips" class="dropdown-toggle drop-down-icon" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/365800">Homework</a> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li> <a href="/homework-help/geography/homework-center-geography" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/300143">Geography</a> </li> <li> <a href="/homework-help/history/homework-center-history" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/300144">History</a> </li> <li> <a href="/homework-help/language-arts/homework-center-language-arts" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/300131">Language Arts</a> </li> <li> <a href="/homework-help/mathematics/homework-center-mathematics" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/300145">Mathematics</a> </li> <li> <a href="/homework-help/science/homework-center-science" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/300150">Science</a> </li> <li> <a href="/homework-help/social-studies/homework-center-social-studies" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/300151">Social Studies</a> </li> <li> <a href="/homework-help/writing-skills/homework-center-writing" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/300181">Writing</a> </li> <li> <a href="/homework-help/research-skills" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/300161">Research</a> </li> <li> <a href="/homework-help/speaking-listening-skills" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/300172">Speaking & Listening</a> </li> <li> <a href="/homework-help/study-skills/homework-helper-study-skills" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/300174">Studying</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/tools" class="dropdown-toggle drop-down-icon" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/451211">Tools</a> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li> <a href="/almanac/fact-monster-almanac-search-page" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/365773">Almanac</a> </li> <li> <a href="/atlas" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/407001">Atlas</a> </li> <li> <a href="/math-science/weights-measures/conversion-calculator" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/357383">Conversion Calculator</a> </li> <li> <a href="/dictionary" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/208049">Dictionary</a> </li> <li> <a href="/atlas/calculate-distance" data-drupal-link-system-path="atlas/calculate-distance">Distance Calculator</a> </li> <li> <a href="/dk/encyclopedia" target="_self" rel="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/412416">Encyclopedia</a> </li> <li> <a href="/atlas/latitude-longitude" target="_self" rel="" data-drupal-link-system-path="atlas/latitude-longitude">Place Finder</a> </li> <li> <a href="/spelling-check" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/208019">Spell Checker</a> </li> <li> <a href="/thesaurus" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/208034">Thesaurus</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.teachervision.com?utm_source=factmonster&utm_medium=menu&utm_campaign=fm_menu_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" title="Visit our teacher resource sister site!">Teaching Resources </a> </li> </ul> </nav><section id="block-fmleaderboardads" class="block page-top"> <span class="advertisement"><span style="color:black;"><strong>ADVERTISEMENT</strong></span></span><div data-pw-desk="leaderboard_atf" style="margin-bottom:10px"></div> </section><main class="container add-margin node-409396"> <div class="row"> <article class="main-section col-sm-8"> <ol class="breadcrumb-navigation"> <li> <a class = "fa fa-home" href="/"></a> </li> </ol> <p class="print-icon"><a href="#" onclick="window.print();return false;"><span class="fa fa-print"></span></a><a id="cite" href="/cite-page">Cite</a></p> <h1>Ten Tips for Better Spelling</h1> <section class = "col-sm-12 nopadding" id="mainaside"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div><div id="block-fm-content" class="block"> <article data-history-node-id="409396"> <div> <div class="update-date"> Updated March 10, 2017 | <a href="/about-us#Our%20Editors"> Factmonster Staff </a><img src="/themes/ip/images/info-circle.png" title="Updated by an Factmonster Editor on March 10, 2017" /> </div> <div class="body"><ol><li>This may be the best-known spelling rule:<blockquote><i>i</i> before <i>e,</i> except after <i>c</i></blockquote><blockquote>or when sounded like "ay"</blockquote><blockquote>as in <i>neighbor</i> and <i>weigh </i></blockquote><p>Here are some words that follow the rule:</p><blockquote>IE words: <i>believe, field, relief</i></blockquote><blockquote>CEI words: <i>ceiling, deceit, receive</i></blockquote><blockquote>EI words: <i>freight, reign, sleigh</i></blockquote><p>Some exceptions: <i>either, foreign, height, leisure, protein, weird</i></p><p>"CIEN words" are another exception to the rule. These include <i>ancient, efficient,</i> and <i>science.</i></p></li><li>Here's another familiar spelling rule: "Silent <i>e</i> helps a vowel say its name." This means that when a word ends with a vowel followed by a consonant and then silent <i>e,</i> the vowel has a long sound. That's the difference between <i>rate</i> and <i>rat, hide</i> and <i>hid,</i> and <i>cube</i> and <i>cub.</i></li><li>Have you heard the expression "When two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking?" This means that when there are two vowels in a row, the first usually has a long sound and the second is silent. That's why it's <i>team,</i> not <i>taem; coat,</i> not <i>caot;</i> and <i>wait,</i> not <i>wiat.</i> Remembering this rule will help you to put vowels in the right order.</li><li>Learn the basic rules for <a href="/features/grammar-and-spelling/spelling-plural-nouns">spelling with plural nouns</a> so that you know whether to use <i>s</i> or <i>es</i> and how to make plurals of nouns that end in <i>y</i> or <i>f.</i></li><li>In general, though, memorizing rules isn't the most effective way to learn spelling. Most rules have exceptions—and besides, you are best at learning words that you have made an effort to understand. A good way to understand a word is to break it into syllables. Look for prefixes, suffixes, and roots. Practice each short part and then the whole word.<blockquote><i>dis-ap-pear-ing</i></blockquote><blockquote><i>tra-di-tion-al</i></blockquote><p>After you break apart a word, ask yourself: How is this word like other words I know? Spelling the word <i>traditional</i> may make you think of spelling <i>functional</i> and <i>national.</i> Finding patterns among words is one of the best ways to learn spelling.</p></li><li>It's also helpful to try making up a funny memory aids. For example, do you have trouble remembering which has two <i>s'</i>s—<i>desert</i> (arid land) or <i>dessert</i> (a sweet treat)? Remember that with dessert, you'd like seconds. Similarly, do you have trouble remembering how to spell <i>separate?</i> Remember that there's <i>a rat</i> in the middle.</li><li>Another kind of memory aid is to make up a sentence in which the first letter of each word can be used to make the spelling word. The sillier the better—goofy sentences may be easier to remember.<blockquote>chili: <b>c</b>ats <b>h</b>ave <b>i</b>nteresting <b>l</b>ittle <b>i</b>deas</blockquote><blockquote>physical: <b>p</b>lease <b>h</b>ave <b>y</b>our <b>s</b>trawberry <b>i</b>ce <b>c</b>ream <b>a</b>nd <b>l</b>ollipops</blockquote></li><li>Make sure that you are pronouncing words correctly. This can help you to avoid some common spelling errors, such as <i>canidate</i> instead of <i>candidate, jewelery</i> instead of <i>jewelry,</i> and <i>libary</i> instead of <i>library.</i></li><li>Put together a list of words that you find difficult to spell. Go over your old papers and spelling exams to track down these troublemakers. Once you've got your list in hand, see if some of the tips above will help you.</li><li>And lastly: Don't rely on electronic spellcheckers! They can miss errors—especially when you have used the wrong word but spelled it correctly. To prove it, we've taken a sentence and messed up all the words. And the spellchecker thinks it's fine.<blockquote>"I might need some new shoes for gym," Harry told our Aunt Ann.</blockquote><blockquote>"Eye mite knead sum knew shoos four Jim," Hairy tolled hour Ant an.</blockquote></li></ol><p><i>See also:</i> <a href="/cig/grammar-style/hooked-phonics-introduction">Guide to Spelling</a>.</p></div> <div class="field_next_page"><a href="/homework-help/social-studies/easily-confused-or-misused-words" rel="next">Easily Confused or Misused Words</a></div> </div> <div class="src-wrapper"> <div class="expand-src">Sources +</div> <div class="collapse-src hide"> <div> <a href="/sources">Our Common Sources</a></div> </div> </div> </article> </div><div id="block-globalcitepopup" class="block"> <div id="global-overlay"><div class="global-overlay-content"><a class="global-close-overlay overlay-large-button" href="#">✖</a><div class="global-message-window"> </div></div></div> </div> </section> <section class="main-bottom" id="main-bottom"> <div class="views-element-container block" id="block-views-block-more-like-this-block-1"> <div><div class="see js-view-dom-id-8caa196f4cb029f27e36ebbeb8908b60715753fdfc42ad4e0e0f16257007b12f"> <div class="view-header"> <b>See also:</b> </div> <div class="item-list"> <ul> <li><a href="/cig/grammar-style/hooked-phonics-attaching-prefixes-and-suffixes-bits-and-pieces">Guide to Spelling: Hooked on Phonics: Attaching Prefixes and Suffixes: Bits and Pieces</a></li> </ul></div> </div></div> </div> </section> </article> <aside class="right-section col-sm-4"> <div id="block-fmabovethefoldads" class="block"> <style>#block-fmabovethefoldads{ margin-top:15px; }</style><span style="font-size: 10px; color: black; text-align: center; display:block;"><strong>ADVERTISEMENT</strong></span><div data-pw-desk="med_rect_atf"></div><div data-pw-mobi="med_rect_atf"></div> </div><div id="block-monthlyfeaturedcontent" class="block"> <style type="text/css">div#FMWidget{ background-image:url('/images/factmonster/FM-widget-bg-pattern.jpg'); text-align:center; padding:15px 10px; color:#fff; font-size:15px; } div#FMWidget h2{color:#fff !important}</style><div id="FMWidget"><h2>Flashcards</h2><p>Hone your math skills with our flashcards!</p><a href="/math/flashcards"><input class="submit" title="Go" type="submit" value="Go" /></a></div> </div><div id="block-fmmiddlepagetower" class="block"> <span style="font-size: 10px; color: black; text-align: center; display:block;"><strong>ADVERTISEMENT</strong></span><div data-pw-desk="med_rect_btf"></div><div data-pw-mobi="med_rect_btf"></div> </div><div id="block-fmsecondfeature" class="block"> <style type="text/css">div#FMWidget{ background-image:url('/images/factmonster/FM-widget-bg-pattern.jpg'); text-align:center; padding:15px 10px; color:#fff; font-size:15px; } div#FMWidget h2{color:#fff !important}</style><div id="FMWidget"><h2>New Games</h2><p>Discover several new games that we've added to our collection!</p><p><a href="/games"><input class="submit" title="Go" type="submit" value="Play Games" /></a></p></div> </div><div id="block-fmthirdfeature" class="block"> <style type="text/css">div#FMWidget{ background-image:url('/images/factmonster/FM-widget-bg-pattern.jpg'); text-align:center; padding:15px 10px; color:#fff; font-size:15px; } div#FMWidget h2{color:#fff !important}</style><div id="FMWidget"><h2>Hangman</h2><p>Grow your vocab the fun way!</p><b><a href="/hangman/hangman"><input class="submit" title="Go" type="submit" value="Go" /></a></b></div> </div> </aside> </div></main> <footer> <div id="block-fmcopyrights" class="block"> <div class="col-8"><div class="form-intro">Educate, entertain, and engage with Factmonster.</div><form action="/search" class="search-area-wrap-footer" data-drupal-form-fields="searchquery,searchsubmit" method="GET"><input data-drupal-selector="searchquery" id="searchquery" name="searchquery" placeholder="Enter your search here?" type="text" /><label class="visually-hidden" for="searchquery">Search input</label> <input class="button js-form-submit form-submit" data-drupal-selector="searchsubmit" id="searchsubmit_footer" name="searchsubmit" type="submit" value="Search" /><label class="visually-hidden" for="searchsubmit_footer">Search submit button</label></form><div class="footer-logo"><a href="https://www.factmonster.com"><img alt="Fact Monster Logo" src="/themes/fm/logo.svg" /></a></div><div class="fe-site-info">From the solar system to the world economy to educational games, Fact Monster has the info kids are seeking. Our site is COPPA compliant, so you can rest assured it's a safe place for kids to grow and explore.</div></div><div><p>2000-2024 Sandbox Networks, Inc. All Rights Reserved.</p></div> </div><div id="block-footer" class="block"> <ul > <li> <a href="/about-us" title="About Us" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/208008">About Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/contact-us-advertise-factmonstercom" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/208007">Advertise with Factmonster</a> </li> <li> <a href="/terms-use" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/208004">Terms of Use</a> </li> <li> <a href="/contact-us" target="_self" rel="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/454781">Contact Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/citing" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/208009">Citing Factmonster</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.bestteacherjob.com/company/factmonster-27ed2d6740d4" target="_blank">Write for FactMonster</a> </li> <li> <a href="/privacy/fm-do-not-sell-my-info" target="_self" rel="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/453851">Do Not Sell My Info (for CA Residents)</a> </li> </ul> </div><div id="block-footerproducts" class="block"> <div class="fen-info"><div class="fen-info-logo"><a href="https://sbxgroup.com/learning/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="sandbox learning logo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f2e3739d-fc9c-40de-acdf-e254c68d6e20" src="" data-src="/sites/factmonster.com/files/inline-images/sandbox-learning.png" class="b-lazy lazy_load_image" style="width:230px" width="1669" height="219" loading="lazy" /></a></div><div class="fen-info-copy" style="clear:both;padding-left:0">Factmonster is part of the Sandbox Learning family of educational and reference sites for parents, teachers and students.</div></div><p style="float:left;"><span class="fen-product fen-product-fm"><a href="https://www.familyeducation.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="familyeducation logo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="09599a74-0334-48f2-b240-6bce095fe9bf" src="" data-src="/sites/factmonster.com/files/inline-images/familyeducation_logo_2.png" class="b-lazy lazy_load_image" width="190" height="25" loading="lazy" /></a></span><span class="fen-product fen-product-ip"><a href="https://www.infoplease.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="infoplease logo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3f75fe4e-8a9b-464a-a897-838d0588ddc6" src="" data-src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/infoplease_logo.png" class="b-lazy lazy_load_image" /></a></span><span class="fen-product fen-product-tv"><a href="https://www.teachervision.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="TeacherVision logo" data-entity-type="file" src="" data-src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/teachervision_logo.png" class="b-lazy lazy_load_image" /></a></span></p><div style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="fen-info-copy"><p style="color: #ffffff;font-size: 15px;">For more information on our use of cookies and usage policies, please visit our <a href="/privacy-policy" style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>PRIVACY POLICY</strong></a>.</p></div><script async="">(function(s,u,m,o,j,v){j=u.createElement(m);v=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0];j.async=1;j.src=o;j.dataset.sumoSiteId='a5336f2c0151f7ca077eaea3b3aaaaa439d2c71f440c2b7c381b1e5b0f843aba';v.parentNode.insertBefore(j,v)})(window,document,'script','//load.sumo.com/');</script> </div> </footer> <div class="page-footer-bottom"> <div id="block-footerbottomsandbox" class="block"> <div class="sandbox-branding"><a href="https://sandboxandco.com" rel="nofollow"><img alt="sandbbox logo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="696abfb6-fcf6-4f0d-ac1e-714bc8faaa4c" src="" data-src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/sandbox_logo.png" class="b-lazy lazy_load_image" /></a></div><div class="sandbox-copy">©2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. Sandbox Learning is part of Sandbox & Co., a digital learning company.</div> </div> </div> </div> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","scriptPath":null,"pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/409396","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"cloudinary":true,"eu_cookie_compliance":{"cookie_policy_version":"1.0.0","popup_enabled":false,"popup_agreed_enabled":false,"popup_hide_agreed":false,"popup_clicking_confirmation":false,"popup_scrolling_confirmation":false,"popup_html_info":false,"use_mobile_message":true,"mobile_popup_html_info":false,"mobile_breakpoint":768,"popup_html_agreed":false,"popup_use_bare_css":false,"popup_height":75,"popup_width":"100%","popup_delay":700,"popup_link":"\/privacy-policy","popup_link_new_window":true,"popup_position":true,"fixed_top_position":true,"popup_language":"en","store_consent":false,"better_support_for_screen_readers":false,"cookie_name":"","reload_page":false,"domain":"","domain_all_sites":false,"popup_eu_only":false,"popup_eu_only_js":false,"cookie_lifetime":100,"cookie_session":0,"set_cookie_session_zero_on_disagree":0,"disagree_do_not_show_popup":false,"method":"default","automatic_cookies_removal":true,"allowed_cookies":"","withdraw_markup":"\u003Cbutton type=\u0022button\u0022 class=\u0022eu-cookie-withdraw-tab\u0022\u003EPrivacy settings\u003C\/button\u003E\n\u003Cdiv aria-labelledby=\u0022popup-text\u0022 class=\u0022eu-cookie-withdraw-banner\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022popup-content info eu-cookie-compliance-content\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv id=\u0022popup-text\u0022 class=\u0022eu-cookie-compliance-message\u0022 role=\u0022document\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch2\u003EWe use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience\u003C\/h2\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou have given your consent for us to set cookies.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv id=\u0022popup-buttons\u0022 class=\u0022eu-cookie-compliance-buttons\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cbutton type=\u0022button\u0022 class=\u0022eu-cookie-withdraw-button \u0022\u003EWithdraw consent\u003C\/button\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E","withdraw_enabled":false,"reload_options":0,"reload_routes_list":"","withdraw_button_on_info_popup":false,"cookie_categories":[],"cookie_categories_details":[],"enable_save_preferences_button":true,"cookie_value_disagreed":"0","cookie_value_agreed_show_thank_you":"1","cookie_value_agreed":"2","containing_element":"body","settings_tab_enabled":false,"olivero_primary_button_classes":"","olivero_secondary_button_classes":"","close_button_action":"close_banner","open_by_default":false,"modules_allow_popup":true,"hide_the_banner":false,"geoip_match":true},"custom_voice_search":{"custom_voice_search":{"ids":[{"id":"search_api_page_block_form","input_id":"edit-keys"},{"id":"search_api_page_block_form","input_id":"edit-keys"}]}},"ajaxTrustedUrl":{"form_action_p_pvdeGsVG5zNF_XLGPTvYSKCf43t8qZYSwcfZl2uzM":true},"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"cbc2a64d0cb07eb1b4b684cd627a47c30fa7e97aac1c61d5d3854344e628368f"}}</script><script src="/sites/factmonster.com/files/js/js_dmx6trE1mNZbbdKLi2Q0kNDC5o0Pibf1JF65ZS8qR3g.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=fm&include=eJxtjEEOwjAMBD8U6o_wh8h13BLq1BAnReH1JEhw6mV3NFqt4Lt5UQwgP5oGXTvEfXXWrHCCGY0daWa4Pyvn5pYEq-iMcrHSZCy5elLdIvdKD4m4E8OZ9IEXrFLGB20cYtH8f6FqRZM_NPahMWa6wYlzR-SXwTenpKEKfwBxUU-y"></script><script src="/modules/contrib/eu_cookie_compliance/js/eu_cookie_compliance.min.js?v=10.1.6" defer></script><script src="/sites/factmonster.com/files/js/js_ZQLZspVNu1tq_x7Q0VEi9rJFZ7LZ93p49vVZOQA7_3U.js?scope=footer&delta=2&language=en&theme=fm&include=eJxtjEEOwjAMBD8U6o_wh8h13BLq1BAnReH1JEhw6mV3NFqt4Lt5UQwgP5oGXTvEfXXWrHCCGY0daWa4Pyvn5pYEq-iMcrHSZCy5elLdIvdKD4m4E8OZ9IEXrFLGB20cYtH8f6FqRZM_NPahMWa6wYlzR-SXwTenpKEKfwBxUU-y"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> var tyche = { mode: 'tyche', config: '//config.playwire.com/1024433/v2/websites/73162/banner.json' }; Defer.js('https://cdn.intergient.com/pageos/pageos.js', 'tyche', 3000); </script> </body></html>