Totalling and totaling are both correct spellings. The difference is mainly regional. In American English, the usual spelling is totaling. In British English, the usual spelling is totalling. They mean the same thing: adding up to a total or amounting to a certain number. Examples: American English: The repairs are totaling more than $2,000. British…
The more accepted spelling is dammit. Damnit is also seen in casual writing, but it is less standard. If you want the spelling that looks more natural and widely accepted, use dammit. There is also a more formal two-word version: damn it. Examples: Dammit, I forgot my keys. Damn it, the file didn’t save. He…
The correct spelling is lien. Lein is usually a misspelling when you mean a legal claim against property, money, or an asset. Examples: The bank placed a lien on the property. The contractor filed a lien for unpaid work. The car still has a lien on the title. You should check whether there is a…
Manual and Manuel are both real words, but they mean very different things. Use manual when you mean a handbook, guide, or something done by hand. Use Manuel only as a person’s name. Examples: Read the instruction manual before using the machine. This car has a manual transmission. The job requires manual labor. Manuel is…
Inquire and enquire are both correct words. They usually mean the same thing: to ask for information. The main difference is regional and stylistic. In American English, use inquire for almost all situations. In British English, enquire is often used for general questions, while inquire is often used for formal investigations. Examples: American English: I…
A mouse and a rat are both small rodents, but they are not the same animal. The main difference is size: rats are usually larger, while mice are usually smaller. Rats also tend to have thicker bodies, longer-looking heads, and heavier tails. Mice usually have smaller bodies, bigger-looking ears, and thinner tails. In everyday English,…
The standard spelling is barbecue. Barbeque is a common variant, but it is less formal and not usually the preferred spelling in careful writing. Use barbecue when you are writing an article, recipe, menu, school paper, or professional text. Examples: We had barbecue chicken for dinner. They hosted a backyard barbecue on Saturday. This restaurant…
Mold and mould are both correct spellings. The difference is mainly regional. In American English, the usual spelling is mold. In British English, the usual spelling is mould. They mean the same thing. The spelling changes depending on where your audience is, not because the word has a different meaning. Examples: American English: There was…
The correct spelling is their. Thier is a misspelling. Use their when you are talking about something that belongs to people, animals, groups, or things already mentioned. Examples: The students brought their books. The dogs wagged their tails. My neighbors painted their house. The company changed their policy. The word thier is not a standard…
Omelet and omelette are both correct spellings. The difference is mainly regional. In American English, the more common spelling is omelet. In British English, and often in more French-influenced or restaurant-style writing, the preferred spelling is omelette. So if you are writing for a U.S. audience, use omelet. If you are writing for a U.K….