Even though you won't be a spelling bee contestant, you probably still encounter tricky words that you need to spell correctly on a daily basis.There is nothing that can replace good personal spelling skills when you are trying to communicate with others.There is a difference between looking informed and professional.You can figure out how to spell even the most difficult words with some practice, research, and dedication.
Step 1: The word should be broken into chunks.
Slowly repeat the word.One syllable at a time, sound out each part carefully.It is easier to put the whole thing together if you split the word into manageable parts.Write the word down by syllable as you say it.When you chunk out "aristocratic," it becomes: "a - ris - to- cra -tic."
Step 2: Start with simpler forms of the word.
Many words are difficult to spell because they are compounds.A good starting point for figuring out the rest of a complex word is the root of it.It is the easiest way to identify a word's root.For example, if you are having trouble with restructuring, you can take away the prefixes "re-" and "-ing" to start from the most basic form of the word: "structure."The last letter of a word's root is often dropped or changed when combined with a suffixes to avoid vowels or consonants.The root "structure" of "disconnection" does not have two "t's", and "re restructuring" drops the "e" from it to accommodate the suffix "-ing."
Step 3: Common spelling rules are used to draw on.
It is possible to apply a standard pattern of English when a word is hard to sound out.A rule like "i before e except after c" can help you figure out if words with an "ee" vowel sound will be spelled "shield" or "receive".One example of a common spelling rule is that when adding a suffix that starts with a vowels, you should keep the letter E.If you draw upon this rule, you can figure out that moving and unmovable will both keep the "e" at the end of home.
Step 4: Look; cover; write.
This method will help you remember difficult-to-spell words.When you look at a word in a dictionary, hide it from view, and then try to write it down from memory, the process is exactly the same.You should be able to reproduce the word at least three times in a row.Slowly sound out the word aloud as you are writing it down to make it even more sensory.It will help with your recall and all-around understanding of a word if you use your senses of sight, hearing, and touch.Try to spell the word correctly after taking a break from it.If you commit the word to long-term memory, practice it the next day.
Step 5: Make a list of common misspellings.
English spellings are not always consistent because of their mix of linguistic origins.There is a notable exception to the rule.It won't be possible to accurately spell difficult words just by sounding them out.You should watch out for words that you misspell.It's important to know the words that are tough for everyone.You can find a list of the most commonly misspelled words here.It is important to keep it on hand when you are writing.
Step 6: There are devices that can be used to use mnemonic devices.
It is easier to remember difficult spellings if you associate them with a vivid sentence.For example, if you have trouble spelling a word likerhythm, come up with a related sentence in which the beginning of each word matches the correct order of the letters.If you associate the word "separate" with a sentence like, "There's a 'par' in separate," you'll remember that the second vowel should be an "a," not a "e."
Step 7: Consider the etymology of the word.
English words can be found in other languages.It is possible to make sense of surprising letter combinations that don't match how a word sounds if you know the language of the word.It is more likely that you will be able to figure out the spellings of words that have foreign origins if you are familiar with the patterns that are common to the languages that influenced English.The words "bureaucracy" and "connoisseur" seem like they would be spelled "burocracy" in English.If you know their origin, you can recognize the foreign spellings that are standard in French.Common patterns, roots, prefixes, and suffixes that derive from other languages can be found in a dictionary.If you know that "pneu" is a Greek word for "breathe", you will be able to recognize it in other places.