Name: _______________________________________________________________

Date: _____________________

IDENTIFY COMMON SPELLING ERRORS

In regards to all of the following rules, some exceptions apply.
IE versus EI
i before e except after c , or when sounded as a as in neighbor or weigh
Vowel Combinations
When two vowels are together, the first one is usually long and the second one is silent
(reach, cheapen, conceal)
Doubling Consonants
Consonants are usually doubled when adding an ending, or suffix, to a word
(cut/cutting, slip/slipped, quit/quitter)
Final E
Drop the final e when adding a suffix that begins with a vowel such as -ing, -able, -ous, -ity
(surprise/surprising, leave/leaving, scarce/scarcity)
Keep the final e before endings that begin with consonants such as ment, -ness, -less, -ful
(advertise/advertisement, wire/wireless, peace/peaceful)
Final Y
When adding a suffix, a final y is sometimes changed to an i when it follows a consonant
(mercy/merciful, crazy/craziness, salary/salaries)
However, keep the y if it follows a vowel.
(attorneys, monkeys, staying, payable)
--ABLE
If a root word takes the ation suffix, it usually takes able
(imagination/imaginable, application/applicable)
Or, if a root word is a complete word by itself, it takes able
(drink/drinkable, search/searchable)
--IBLE
If a word ends in a soft c or g , it takes ible
ends in ss
or if a root word is not a whole word

(forcible, invincible, legible),

(repressible, accessible, dismissible),
(collection/collectible, vision/visible, division/divisible)

Homonyms: two or more words having the same spelling or the same pronunciation but different meanings
affect
effect

(verb) indicate influence: The medicine did not affect her.

(noun) result or consequence: What are the effects of the medicine?

accept receive, agree to: I accept your apology.

except excluding: I like all vegetables, except broccoli.
aloud something said out loud: Reading aloud.
allowed something permitted: Dogs are not allowed.
are
our

(verb) a form of "to be": They are my cousins.

(adjective) the plural possessive form of we: They will bring our keys.

buy
by

purchasing an item: I do need to buy new shoes for the kids.

a preposition to indicate location: Please put the sandwiches by the door so we don't forget them!

brake
break

verb meaning to stop: The bike's brake failed.

indicate smashing or shattering or to take a recess: My back will break ; We took a water break.

bear
bare

referring to the large mammal or to indicate the act of supporting: Thats a big bear ; I cant bear to watch.
adjective indicating lack of clothing or adornment: His bare neck burned in the direct sunlight.

here
hear

(adverb) to indicate location: Please come back here and put your shoes away!
(verb) to indicate listening: Can you hear the birds' beautiful singing outside?

it's
its

contraction for it is: It's raining today.

possessive form of it: The cat is licking its paws.

lie
lay

reclining, or false statement: I was watching the dog lie in the warm sunlight ; Dont lie to me.
placement: Please lay the paper on the table.

one
won

when referring to a single unit or thing: I have one more muffin left before the box is empty.
past tense form of the verb "to win": Shelly's team won the tournament and celebrated with ice-cream sundaes!

principle basic truth or law: Many important life principles are learned in kindergarten.
principal head of a school, or a sum of money: The principal is a well-respected member of the community.
to
too
two

indicate direction: We're going to the park.

also, excessive: I ate too much ; I ate lunch, too.
a number: Marcy ate two pieces of pie.

than
then

comparisons: John is taller than Tim.

indicate passage of time, or when: We went to the park and then the store.

there pronoun or adverb: There will be a party tonight. (pronoun); Put the book over there. (adverb)
their shows possession: The students put their coats in the closet.
they're is the contraction for they are: They're going to have practice immediately after school today.
you're a contraction for you are: You're going to absolutely love this new recipe.
your possession: Please bring your books to class with you tomorrow.
weather referring to the state of the atmosphere: The constantly changing springtime weather is driving us crazy.
whether conjunction to introduce choices: Please tell us whether you would prefer steak or salmon for dinner.
which (pronoun) when referring to noun: Cora wore her favorite shoes, which she received as a birthday gift.
witch (noun) a scary or nasty person: The Halloween witch decorations must finally come down off of the wall!
whose belongs to whom: Whose party is this?
whos who is or who has: Whos going to the party?

Select the correct choice.

1. I don't care what you read on (its, its) label! This is poisonous!
2. If (your/youre) patient enough, you might see a rainbow.
3. They have left (their, there, theyre) home because of the storm.
4. (Were, Where, Were) going where no one has gone before.
5. (Whose, Whos) bike is that?
6. The computer has been (sitting/setting) there since yesterday.
7. My brother (laid, lay, lied) in bed all day yesterday.
8. How did they manage to (lose, loose) that game?
9. The library has been incredibly (quite, quit, quiet) today.
10. What (affect, effect) did her resolution have on the committee?
11. Baby, (its, its) cold outside!
12. (Whose, Whos) going to tell the boss?
13. It's time to (quite, quit, quiet) fooling around and get down to work.
14. The old man (set, sat) on the park bench all day.
15. Finally he decided to (lay, lie) down and take a nap.
16. I think it's going to be (to, too, two) difficult for her.
17. How did passing the MTEL (affect, effect) her confidence as a teacher?
18. We're wondering what happened to (their, there, theyre) car.
19. The counselors help you to explore (your, youre) options.
20. She will (chose, choose) her career wisely.
---------------------------------------------------21. Because it had been getting (to, too, two) wet over the years, the wood was (roting/rotting).
22. (Answerring/Answering) the telephone, Edgar was more upset (then/than) I was at being interrupted.
23. (Referring/Refering) to the incident at the store, the manager said (their, there, theyre) would have to be some changes.
24. After (slidding, sliding) on the muddy field, the boys decided it was (to, too, two) wet to play.
25. He's never sure (whether, weather) to believe us when we tell him (their, there, theyre) is an emergency.
26. (Opening, Openning) the car window, the driver (handded, handed) the toll to the collector.
27. Although (its, its) clear that this report is Miguel's, I have no idea (whose, whos) the other one is.
28. (Were, Were, Where) glad to see that (youre, your) finally going to settle down.
29. Even though the (weather, whether) forecaster said it would clear up, we have even heavier rain (than, then) yesterday.
30. (Waiting, Waitting) to be served at the restaurant, I (hopped, hoped) that I would not be late getting back to work.
31. (To, Too, Two) often (their, there, theyre) is not enough trust between people.
32. Before she could tell us what had (occured, occurred), the water had already risen higher (than, then) we thought possible.
33. After (cutting, cuting) his hair very short, Norman was (to, too, two) ashamed to go out without a hat on.
34. A thick fog (obscurred, obscured) our vision and (bloted, blotted) out the lights from shore.
35. (Climbing, Climbbing) to the roof, Susan (spoted, spotted) a bird's nest blocking the downspout.
36. The rain on the windshield (blurred, blured) the lights of the other cars as they sped (past, passed) us.
37. The flag (fluttered, flutterred) in the breeze as we wondered (weather, whether) the wind would ever die down.
38. When we arrived at the depot, (their, there, theyre) were (to, too, two) police officers waiting to take the criminal away.
39. At one time (whalling, whaling) was a worldwide industry; today it is almost a thing of the (passed, past).
40. Incorporating technology improves students academic achievement, which (affects, effects) (their, there, theyre) confidence.

 IBLE versus ABLE

1. Last night's movie about the invis(-able/-ible) man was so incred(-able/-ible) that it was laugh(-able/-ible).
2. My irrespons(-able/-ible) little brother is usually kept away from anything break(-able/-ible)
3. Are these new clothes really comfort(-able/-ible), or do people only wear them because they are fashion(-able/-ible)?
4. I think I would be less irrit(-able/-ible) if my professors were more flex(-able/-ible).
5. I don't think voting twice in national elections is permiss(-able/-ible).
6. It's always valu(-able/-ible) to have a friend who is depend(-able/-ible).
7. My employer said that it isn't suit(-able/-ible) to have a secretary whose handwriting is illeg(-able/-ible).
Can you correct the errors below?
Most people thought that Michael, an eligable bachelor, was an adorable, personible man. Mattie, however, found him
detestable. Some time ago, Michael promised to take Mattie to a fashionible restaurant for a remarkible dinner. As
horrable as it sounds, Michael took Mattie to the local McDonald's. Most of the food there was either inedable or
undigestable. Mattie was as irritable as possable when she told her roommates about her terrible date. "Whoever
finally marries that contemptable Michael," Mattie said, "is certainly not going to be in an enviable position."
IE versus EI
1. There are (eight, ieght) candles on the cake.
2. I have not (recieved, received) a letter since Saturday.
3. Have you ever been on a (sleigh, sliegh) ride?
4. Her (neice, niece) is going to come to (grief, greif).
5. She (shrieked, shreiked) in surprise when he dropped the ice cube down her back.
6. Drop that silver, you (theif, thief)!
7. He's the most (conceited, concieted) man I know.
8. I don't (beleive, believe) he is so (conceited, concieted).
9. As he was dying, the (cheif, chief) asked for a (preist, priest).
10. Leave the mouse a (peice, piece) of cheese.
11. Brevity is the soul of wit; therefore, be (breif, brief).
12. The (freight, frieght) train woke the (nieghbors, neighbors).
13. I have to (beleive, believe) to (acheive, achieve).
14. Look at that spider on the (ceiling, cieling).
15. Judson could not (conceive, concieve) of such treachery.
16. (Weigh, Wiegh) your produce at the register.
17. The shower was a (releif, relief) after the hot day.
18. The blood in my (veins, viens) ran cold at the sight of King Kong.
19. I'll need a (receipt, reciept) for this purchase.
20. Did you (perceive, percieve) how Jan (yeilded, yielded) the floor to Tom?

Select the correct choice. (ANSWER KEY) ********************************

1. I don't care what you read on (its, its) label! This is poisonous!
2. If (your/youre) patient enough, you might see a rainbow.
3. They have left (their, there, theyre) home because of the storm.
4. (Were, Where, Were) going where no one has gone before.
5. (Whose, Whos) bike is that?
6. The computer has been (sitting/setting) there since yesterday.
7. My brother (laid, lay, lied) in bed all day yesterday.
8. How did they manage to (lose, loose) that game?
9. The library has been incredibly (quite, quit, quiet) today.
10. What (affect, effect) did her resolution have on the committee?
11. Baby, (its, its) cold outside!
12. (Whose, Whos) going to tell the boss?
13. It's time to (quite, quit, quiet) fooling around and get down to work.
14. The old man (set, sat) on the park bench all day.
15. Finally he decided to (lay, lie) down and take a nap.
16. I think it's going to be (to, too, two) difficult for her.
17. How did passing the MTEL (affect, effect) her confidence as a teacher?
18. We're wondering what happened to (their, there, theyre) car.
19. The counselors help you to explore (your, youre) options.
20. She will (chose, choose) her career wisely.
---------------------------------------------------21. Because it had been getting (to, too, two) wet over the years, the wood was (roting/rotting).
22. (Answerring/Answering) the telephone, Edgar was more upset (then/than) I was at being interrupted.
23. (Referring/Refering) to the incident at the store, the manager said (their, there, theyre) would have to be some changes.
24. After (slidding, sliding) on the muddy field, the boys decided it was (to, too, two) wet to play.
25. He's never sure (whether, weather) to believe us when we tell him (their, there, theyre) is an emergency.
26. (Opening, Openning) the car window, the driver (handded, handed) the toll to the collector.
27. Although (its, its) clear that this report is Miguel's, I have no idea (whose, whos) the other one is.
28. (Were, Were, Where) glad to see that (youre, your) finally going to settle down.
29. Even though the (weather, whether) forecaster said it would clear up, we have even heavier rain (than, then) yesterday.
30. (Waiting, Waitting) to be served at the restaurant, I (hopped, hoped) that I would not be late getting back to work.
31. (To, Too, Two) often (their, there, theyre) is not enough trust between people.
32. Before she could tell us what had (occured, occurred), the water had already risen higher (than, then) we thought possible.
33. After (cutting, cuting) his hair very short, Norman was (to, too, two) ashamed to go out without a hat on.
34. A thick fog (obscurred, obscured) our vision and (bloted, blotted) out the lights from shore.
35. (Climbing, Climbbing) to the roof, Susan (spoted, spotted) a bird's nest blocking the downspout.
36. The rain on the windshield (blurred, blured) the lights of the other cars as they sped (past, passed) us.
37. The flag (fluttered, flutterred) in the breeze as we wondered (weather, whether) the wind would ever die down.
38. When we arrived at the depot, (their, there, theyre) were (to, too, two) police officers waiting to take the criminal away.
39. At one time (whalling, whaling) was a worldwide industry; today it is almost a thing of the (passed, past).
40. Incorporating technology improves students academic achievement, which (affects, effects) (their, there, theyre) confidence.

 IBLE versus ABLE

8. Last night's movie about the invis(-able/-ible) man was so incred(-able/-ible) that it was laugh(-able/-ible).
9. My irrespons(-able/-ible) little brother is usually kept away from anything break(-able/-ible)
10. Are these new clothes really comfort(-able/-ible), or do people only wear them because they are fashion(-able/-ible)?
11. I think I would be less irrit(-able/-ible) if my professors were more flex(-able/-ible).
12. I don't think voting twice in national elections is permiss(-able/-ible).
13. It's always valu(-able/-ible) to have a friend who is depend(-able/-ible).
14. My employer said that it isn't suit(-able/-ible) to have a secretary whose handwriting is illeg(-able/-ible).
Can you correct the errors below?
Most people thought that Michael, an eligable bachelor, was an adorable, personible man. Mattie, however, found him
detestable. Some time ago, Michael promised to take Mattie to a fashionible restaurant for a remarkible dinner. As
horrable as it sounds, Michael took Mattie to the local McDonald's. Most of the food there was either inedable or
undigestable. Mattie was as irritable as possable when she told her roommates about her terrible date. "Whoever
finally marries that contemptable Michael," Mattie said, "is certainly not going to be in an enviable position."
IE versus EI
21. There are (eight, ieght) candles on the cake.
22. I have not (recieved, received) a letter since Saturday.
23. Have you ever been on a (sleigh, sliegh) ride?
24. Her (neice, niece) is going to come to (grief, greif).
25. She (shrieked, shreiked) in surprise when he dropped the ice cube down her back.
26. Drop that silver, you (theif, thief)!
27. He's the most (conceited, concieted) man I know.
28. I don't (beleive, believe) he is so (conceited, concieted).
29. As he was dying, the (cheif, chief) asked for a (preist, priest).
30. Leave the mouse a (peice, piece) of cheese.
31. Brevity is the soul of wit; therefore, be (breif, brief).
32. The (freight, frieght) train woke the (nieghbors, neighbors).
33. I have to (beleive, believe) to (acheive, achieve).
34. Look at that spider on the (ceiling, cieling).
35. Judson could not (conceive, concieve) of such treachery.
36. (Weigh, Wiegh) your produce at the register.
37. The shower was a (releif, relief) after the hot day.
38. The blood in my (veins, viens) ran cold at the sight of King Kong.
39. I'll need a (receipt, reciept) for this purchase.
40. Did you (perceive, percieve) how Jan (yeilded, yielded) the floor to Tom?