Essential Spelling Tips for Better Writing

Spelling Unforgivables What you need to know before you write ANYTHING. Part I

Accept and Except Accept: to agree to, acknowledge, or understand I happily accept this award! Except: to exclude or to hold separate Hint: the x is like crossing something out Everyone except Dana wore sneakers today.

Desert and Dessert Desert: a barron region The desert was hot and dry. Dessert: a yummy treat Hint: ss means more dessert for you I cannot wait to eat banana cream pie for dessert.

Here and Hear Here: Where you are; now Hint: here and there are both locations Mrs. Ritt s desk is right here. Hear: listen to Hint: hear has the word ear in it I hope you can hear my voice in the back of the room.

Hole and Whole Hole: gap, opening, puncture Be careful not to step in the hole! Whole: entire, complete, total Mrs. Ritt can eat a whole bag of popcorn by herself.

Its and Its Its: possessive pronoun without an apostrophe (its, his, hers, my, ours, theirs, yours) Let s give the dog its bath. Its tail is wagging! It s: short for it is or it has It s time to catch that fly! (it is) It s been nice talking with you. (it has)

No and Know No: rejection, refusal, veto No, you cannot eat my dessert! Know: recognize, identify, be acquainted with I know your older sister very well.

A lot A lot: many, a large number, a great deal Hint: a lot has two words and that s a lot for so few letters This weekend, Mrs. Ritt pulled a lot of weeds in her garden.

About About: approximately, almost, roughly; concerning, on the subject of My library has about 400 books in it. I would like to talk to you about the math test.

Aloud and Allowed Aloud: out loud, noisily Mrs. Ritt reads aloud to us each day. Allowed: permitted, acceptable, tolerated We are allowed to sit wherever we want during independent work.

All Right Alright is NOT A WORD! But surprisingly, you will see it used in books from time to time! All Right: all correct Mrs. Ritt said we got the answers all right!

Always Always: forever, at all time, constantly Mrs. Ritt always enjoys chocolate as a dessert.

Beautiful Beautiful: fine-looking, attractive, handsome Beauty is the name of the beautiful girl in Beauty and the Beast.

Because Because: since, as, for the reason that Mrs. Ritt was not in school because she had a meeting.

Beginning Beginning: start, opening, creation of At the beginning of the school year, we had a lot of rules to remember.

Different and Difference Different: unlike, special, diverse The house looked a lot different after the storm. Difference: distinction, variation, diversity What s the difference between navy and pale blue?

Does and Doesnt Does: do How does that idea sound to you? Doesn t: Short for does not Doesn t she look like someone famous?

Enough Enough: an adequate or sufficient amount I ve eaten enough, thank you!

Friend Friend: pal, buddy, associate, comrade My friend and I walked to school together.

Now Now: at this time, this moment, currently Now you may begin your assignment.

Spelling Unforgivables Part II

Morning and Mourning Morning: dawn, daybreak, sunrise This morning, Mrs. Ritt went for a run. Mourning: grief, sorrow, sadness I was in mourning after my cat died.

Hour and Our Hour: 60 minutes You have an hour to complete this assignment. Our: possessive for us I hope our project is a success.

Principle and Principal Principle: code, standard, belief To treat others the way you would want to be treated is a good principle to live by. Principal: chief Hint: Principal has the word pal in it Mrs. Klimpl is the principal of our school.

Peace and Piece Peace: harmony, calm, tranquility, quiet We all enjoyed the peace after a hectic school week. Piece: part, section, portion Hint: Piece has the word pie in it Mrs. Ritt ate a piece of pizza for lunch.

There, Their, and Theyre There: near, here Hint: There has the word here in it You will find scissors over there. Their: possessive for them Their house is on the corner. They re: short for they are They re going to the movies after school.

Your and Youre Your: possessive for you Your puppy is so adorable! You re: short for you are I hope you re enjoying this nice day.

Two, To, and Too Two: one plus one I have two bunnies. To: on the way to, toward Mrs. Ritt drives less then one mile to school. Too: also, as well, besides, in additi0n Hint: too has two Os (extra) I d like to read that book too.

Threw and Through Threw: past tense for throw Mr. Ritt threw the football but Mrs. Ritt intercepted it. Through: from beginning to end, in the course of We moved quickly and quietly through the hallway.

Buy, By, Bye Buy: to purchase Mrs. Ritt would like to buy an air conditioner for her classroom. By: near, with, in through, as a result of Please sit by the fan so you can stay cool. Bye: short for good-bye, farewell Bye Charlie, see you later.

Though Though: while, however, despite the fact, although Mrs. Ritt likes football, though she likes ice hockey more.

Were, Were, and Where Were: to have been, past tense of are We were at the baseball field until dark. We re: short for we are We re going to take a break during the seventh inning stretch. Where: someplace, here, there Where can I find a really good bakery?

Of and Off Of: indicates distance or separation We are within a mile of downtown Doylestown. Off: so as to be no longer Turn the lights off when you leave the classroom.

Once and Often Once: one time, a long time ago I once was afraid of the dark. Often: a lot, frequently, regularly I walk into town often.

Separate Separate: divide, disconnect, undo, take apart Mrs. Ritt kept her vegetables separate from her chicken. Mrs. Ritt had to separate two students who were arguing.

Could Could: past tense of can, possibly Could you please hand me those papers?

Hurray! You are now a spelling unforgivable expert! Your writing will be impeccable!