Reference

Common spelling mistakes in English — and how to avoid them

Eight mix-ups appear again and again in English writing — in emails as much as in job applications. Here they are, with examples and memory tricks that actually stick.

1. your or you're

Thanks for you're help. Thanks for your help.
Trick: you're = "you are". If "you are" doesn't fit the sentence, it's your: "Thanks for you are help" fails — so it's "your".

2. its or it's

The team lost it's momentum. The team lost its momentum.
Trick: it's = "it is" or "it has". The possessive its has no apostrophe — just like his and hers.

3. their, there or they're

Their going to send there reply. They're going to send their reply.
Trick: they're = "they are"; their = belongs to them; there = a place (here and there).

4. then or than

This version is better then the last one. This version is better than the last one.
Trick: than compares (better than, more than). then is about time (first this, then that).

5. affect or effect

The delay won't effect the result. The delay won't affect the result.
Trick: affect is usually the verb (to influence), effect is usually the noun (the result): "The delay affects the result — the effect is a late launch."

6. lose or loose

We can't afford to loose this client. We can't afford to lose this client.
Trick: lose (one o) = to misplace or be defeated. loose (two o's) = not tight: "a loose screw".

7. definitely, not definately

I'll definately be there. I'll definitely be there.
Trick: there's "finite" hiding in the middle: de-finite-ly. No "a" anywhere.

8. should have, not should of

I should of checked the file. I should have checked the file.
Trick: the spoken "should've" sounds like "should of" — but it's always should have. Same for could have and would have.

And if something slips through anyway?

Even with every rule in your head, mistakes sneak in — especially when you're in a hurry. There's a simple safety net: run the finished text once through a checker that explains its corrections instead of just underlining them. SkrivSikkert's calm writing help does exactly that — and along the way, you get to know your personal stumbling blocks.

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SkrivSikkert's calm checker catches these mistakes — and explains every correction in plain words. Free and without signing up.

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