More commonly misspelled English words

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Spelling can often feel like navigating a maze. But fear not, for you are not alone in this quest. Whether you're a fluent speaker or learning English as a second language, the challenge of spelling is universal.

Yet, just as heroes rise to conquer their foes, you too can triumph over misspelled words. With dedication and the right tools, you'll soon find yourself spelling with confidence and ease. Carrying on from our previous post, 'The most commonly misspelled words in English', let's explore more commonly misspelled words and empower ourselves with the knowledge to spell them correctly.

More commonly misspelt words
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Commonly misspelled words and their correct spellings

1. Apparent not apparunt

This word is often misspelled due to its pronunciation. Remember, it's 'apparent' with an 'e' in the middle.

2. Calendar not calender

The 'a' in 'calendar' is crucial. Think of marking important dates on your calendar to remember this one.

3. Conscience not conscence

Your conscience guides you, so let it guide your spelling too. The 'science' in 'conscience' can help you remember the correct form.

4. Dilemma not dilemna

Although it sounds like it has an 'n', 'dilemma' is spelled with two m's. Picture yourself facing a dilemma to recall this spelling.

5. Existence not existance

The 'e' in 'existence' is essential. Imagine the existence of life to keep this spelling in mind.

6. Grateful not greatful

While gratitude is great, the correct spelling is 'grateful'. Remember, 'grateful' comes from the word 'gratitiude'.Ìý

7. Indispensable not indispensible

This word is indispensable in your vocabulary, and it ends with '-able', not '-ible'.

8. Maintenance not maintenence

Maintenance requires attention, just like its spelling. The 'a' in the middle is key.

9. Occurrence not occurance

Double 'c' and double 'r' make 'occurrence' a word to remember. Think of frequent occurrences to get it right.

10. Perseverance not perserverance

Perseverance is about persistence, and it has 'sever' in the middle rather than 'server'. Keep pushing forward with the correct spelling.

11. Privilege not priviledge

It's a privilege to spell this word correctly, this word has no 'd'.

12. Recommend not recomend

When you recommend something, remember the double 'm' in the middle.

13. Separate not seperate

This word often trips people up, but remember the phrase 'separate a rate' to remind you it’s an 'a' before the 'rate'.

14. Vacuum not vaccuum

The silent 'u' in 'vacuum' is important. Picture a vacuum cleaner to recall this spelling.

15. Visible not visable

Visibility is key, and 'visible' ends with '-ible', not '-able'.
Ìý

Improving your spelling is a rewarding endeavor that requires practice and patience. While spell-checkers are helpful, they don't replace the value of learning and understanding the correct spelling.

Remember these strategies:

  • Practice regularly: Write down commonly misspelled words and practice spelling them correctly. Repetition is your ally in mastering spelling.
  • Use mnemonics: Create memorable associations or rhymes to help you remember tricky spellings.Ìý
  • Engage with language learning tools: Apps like offer spelling exercises and lessons that reinforce correct spelling from the start.

Remember, every step you take towards better spelling is a step towards greater confidence in your language skills. Embrace the challenge, celebrate your progress and empower yourself with the knowledge to spell accurately. Your dedication will lead you to spelling success, one word at a time.

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    • How do you level your grammar or vocabulary for the content you write?
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    • How do you contextualize new grammar or vocabulary?

    You can use many different resources, from online dictionaries to course workbooks to a Google search. Still, the Global Scale of English is a reference that provides everything you need to write great learning materials, all in one place. It can help save you valuable time as a teacher and materials writer.

    For me, the GSE was a game changer as an English teacher, and it continues to be as I write materials. The GSE is not just a tool; it’s a companion in the complex journey of material development, offering clarity and direction at every step. It can guide you in creating effective, engaging learning resources.

    How to use the GSE toolkit to create your own materials

    1. Establishing clear Learning Objectives

    helps you start with a clear roadmap. It provides detailed descriptors for language proficiency at every level, ensuring your materials align with specific learning objectives. For instance, if you’re creating a beginner-level reading comprehension activity, the GSE descriptors will guide you on the appropriate complexity of vocabulary and sentence structures.

    Take a look at the Learning Objectives tab in the GSE Toolkit to learn more.

    2. Designing level-appropriate content

    Once objectives are set, the GSE assists in tailoring the content difficulty to the targeted proficiency level. Its numerical scale, ranging from 10 to 90, allows you to pinpoint the exact level of language skills required and design your materials accordingly. This precision ensures that learners are neither overwhelmed nor under-challenged.

    You can set the level you are looking for by sliding the bar along the scale, so it corresponds to the appropriate CEFR level or GSE range.