Worked example 1
Choose: neccessary / necessary
- One collar, two sleeves: one c, double s
Answer: necessary
English for adults · Spelling
Commonly misspelt words for adults
A short list of words causes most spelling mistakes in work writing. Memory tricks fix them for good.
Learn
How it works
Look for a smaller word inside: 'finite' in definitely, 'a rat' in separate.
Double letters are the usual trap: accommodation (cc, mm), necessary (one c, ss), embarrass (rr, ss).
UK and US spellings differ for some words (organise/organize, colour/color). Choose one style and stick to it.
Worked example 2
Choose: occured / occurred
- Stress on the last syllable (oc-CUR)
- Double the r before -ed
Answer: occurred
Try it
Practice sheet
Spelling · Standard
Commonly misspelt words
NameDate
Write the correct spelling.
- 1.accomodation / accommodation
- 2.neccessary / necessary
- 3.calender / calendar
- 4.embarass / embarrass
- 5.occured / occurred
Answers and explanations
- accomodation / accommodationaccommodationDouble c and double m.
- neccessary / necessarynecessaryOne collar (c), two sleeves (ss).
- calender / calendarcalendarEnds -dar.
- embarass / embarrassembarrassDouble r and double s.
- occured / occurredoccurredDouble r when adding -ed to a stressed final syllable.
Last reviewed: 25 September 2026