We use visual memory tricks (mnemonics) that make tricky spellings unforgettable. From believe to separate to address, see the words that trip up thousands of people every day, and learn the memory tricks that finally make them stick.
The Big Five: Most Misspelled Words
Thousands of people search "how to spell" these words every single day
Memory Tricks That Actually Stick
Here's how we make believe, maintenance, and tomorrow unforgettable
believe
"Hard to beLIEve there's a LIE in beLIEve"
Why it works:
This spelling trick addresses the i-before-e confusion that trips up so many writers. The word 'believe' actually contains 'lie' right in the middle, a clever pattern that makes the spelling instantly memorable. Once you see the LIE, you'll never question whether it's 'beleive' or 'believe' again.
maintenance
"The MAIN TENANt does MAINTENANce"
Why it works:
People often spell this word with an 'ai' after the 'n' (maintainance) because they're thinking of 'maintain.' This spelling trick shows you the correct pattern: MAIN + TEN + ANCE. The tenant connection creates a visual scene that sticks. You can picture the main tenant doing maintenance work.
tomorrow
"One M today, two Rs toMoRRow"
Why it works:
The double-R confusion is the most common error with 'tomorrow.' This spelling trick creates a memorable rhythm and pattern: you only need one M (today has one M), but tomorrow needs two Rs. The wordplay on 'today' vs 'tomorrow' makes it easy to remember.
Commonly Misspelled Words
Click any word to learn the full story.
Daily Writing Essentials
Words you use every day in emails, messages, and documents
address
adress → address
"I saw an AD for a DRESS at this ADDRESS"
separate
seperate → separate
"There's A RAT in sepARATe"
calendar
calender → calendar
"DAys are recorded on a calendAR"
which
wich → which
"What, when, where, why, which way?"
government
goverment → government
"GOVERN with your MENT (Latin for 'mind')"
necessary
neccessary → necessary
"A shirt is neCeSSary: one Collar, two Sleeves"
until
untill → until
"You put money in the TILL, unTIL the robber steals an L"
weird
wierd → weird
"It's WEIRD: the E comes first, then I"
environment
enviroment → environment
"RON cares about the enviRONment"
argument
arguement → argument
"U can argue with ME but there's no UE in argUMEnt"
occurred
occured → occurred
"It just occurred to me. They're twins! CC and RR."
Professional Polish
Advanced words for academic and professional writing
accommodate
accomodate → accommodate
"The hotel owner said they can aCCoMModate couples, not singles."
recommend
reccomend → recommend
"I recoMMend M&Ms"
independent
independant → independent
"A DENT in a relationship can make you more indepENDENT (there's no 'A')"
surprise
suprise → surprise
"SuRpRise! Two R's hidden inside!"
cemetery
cemetary → cemetery
"ThE End of lifE: cEmEtEry (3 E's)"
pronunciation
pronounciation → pronunciation
"The NUN teaches proNUNciation (NUN not NOUN)"
separately
seperately → separately
"There's A RAT in sepARATely (like sepARATe)"
embarrass
embarass → embarrass
"Really Red (RR), So Shy (SS): embaRRaSS"
publicly
publically → publicly
"AL attends privately, LY attends publicLY"
conscientious
consciencious → conscientious
"Ambitious, cautious, conscientious: all TIOUS"
practice
practise or practice?
"AmeriCans use practiCe. BritS and AuSSieS use practiSe (verb) and practiCe (iCe is a noun)"
privilege
priviledge → privilege
"If I have a LEG up, I have a privILEGe"
existence
existance → existence
"The fence proves existENCE"