The correct spelling is etc., not ect, when you mean “and so on” or “and other similar things.” Etc. is short for the Latin phrase et cetera. The spelling ect is a common mistake in everyday writing. Use etc. at the end of a list when the reader can easily understand what other similar items…
The correct spelling is lying. Lieing is a common misspelling and should not be used in standard English. Use lying when you mean telling an untruth or resting in a flat position. Both meanings come from the verb lie, and both use the same -ing form: lying. Quick Answer Use lying, not lieing. Correct: He…
The correct spelling is grateful. Greatful is a common misspelling and should not be used in standard English. Even though grateful sounds a little like it could come from great, it is spelled with grat, not great. Use grateful when you mean thankful, appreciative, or pleased because someone helped you or something good happened. Quick…
The correct spelling is truly. Truely is a common misspelling and should not be used in standard English. Even though the adjective is true, the adverb drops the final e before adding -ly. Use truly when you mean honestly, sincerely, really, accurately, or genuinely. Quick Answer Use truly, not truely. Correct: I am truly sorry….
The correct spelling is usually dying. Use dying when you mean approaching death, stopping, fading away, or strongly wanting something. Dieing is almost never the word you need in everyday writing. If you mean coloring fabric, hair, or material, the correct word is dyeing, not dying or dieing. Quick Answer Use dying when talking about…
When you are choosing between layed or laid, the correct word is almost always laid. It is the standard past tense and past participle of lay, meaning to put or place something down. Layed may look logical, but it is not the accepted spelling in modern English. If you want your writing to look polished,…
The correct spelling is forty. Fourty is a common misspelling and should not be used in standard English. Even though the number four has a u, the word forty drops the u. Use forty when writing the number 40 in words. Quick Answer Use forty, not fourty. Correct: She turned forty last month. Incorrect: She…
Whos is not the correct spelling in standard English. The word you probably need is either whose or who’s. Use whose when you mean “belonging to whom.” Use who’s when you mean who is or who has. The form whos without an apostrophe is usually a spelling mistake. Quick Answer Use whose when you are…
The correct spelling is which. Wich is usually a misspelling and should not be used in standard English. Use which when asking about a choice, identifying something, or adding extra information about a noun. The word has a silent-looking h after the w, so remember to write which, not wich. Quick Answer Use which, not…
The correct spelling is turmeric. Tumeric is a common misspelling and should be avoided in standard English. The word turmeric refers to a yellow-orange spice often used in cooking, especially in curry powders, soups, rice dishes, teas, and seasoning blends. The spelling can be confusing because many people pronounce it as if the first r…