Naive is the correct spelling. Nieve is usually a misspelling when you mean innocent, inexperienced, overly trusting, or lacking worldly judgment. The word can also be written as naïve with two dots over the i, but naive without the accent is common in modern English. The key rule is simple: use naive, not nieve. Quick…
Memento is the correct spelling. Momento is a common misspelling. Use memento when you mean an object kept as a reminder of a person, place, event, trip, or meaningful experience. The spelling is tricky because the word sounds like it could begin with mo, but the correct first two syllables are me-men, not mo-men. Quick…
Truly is the correct spelling. Truely is a common misspelling. Use truly when you mean honestly, really, sincerely, accurately, or completely. The spelling is tricky because the base word is true, but when you add -ly, the final e disappears. Quick Answer Use truly, not truely. Correct: I am truly sorry. Correct: She truly cares…
Verbiage is the correct spelling. Verbage is a common misspelling. Use verbiage when you mean wording, phrasing, language, or an overly wordy way of saying something. The key spelling clue is simple: verbiage has “bi” in the middle, not just “ba.” Quick Answer Use verbiage, not verbage. Correct: The contract verbiage is confusing. Correct: Please…
Envision is the correct standard word. Invision is usually a misspelling. Use envision when you mean to imagine, picture, foresee, or mentally create an idea of something before it happens. The key spelling clue is simple: envision begins with “en,” not “in.” Quick Answer Use envision, not invision, when you mean to imagine or picture…
Scarves is the most common and preferred plural of scarf when you mean more than one piece of clothing worn around the neck. Scarfs can also be correct, but it is much less common as a noun plural. Most of the time, especially in polished writing, use scarves. Quick Answer Use scarves when talking about…
Niece is the correct spelling. Neice is a common misspelling. Use niece when talking about the daughter of your brother, sister, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law. The spelling is tricky because the middle letters are ie, not ei. The key spelling clue is simple: niece starts with “ni,” like “nice.” Quick Answer Use niece, not neice. Correct:…
Received is the correct spelling. Recieved is a common misspelling. Use received when you mean got, accepted, obtained, heard, or were given something. The spelling is tricky because the middle letters are ei, not ie. The key clue is the c: after c, the spelling is usually ei. Quick Answer Use received, not recieved. Correct:…
Rhythm is the correct spelling. Rythm is a common misspelling. Use rhythm when talking about a beat, pattern, movement, flow, or repeated timing in music, speech, writing, dance, life, or nature. The spelling is unusual because rhythm has no regular vowel after the first letter, so it must be memorized carefully. Quick Answer Use rhythm,…
Fiery is the correct spelling. Firey is a common misspelling. Use fiery when something is full of fire, looks like fire, feels hot, shows strong emotion, or has an intense personality. The spelling is tricky because it does not follow the simple pattern of adding y to fire. Quick Answer Use fiery, not firey. Correct:…