spell a word

Meaning

This phrase refers to the action of naming or writing the letters of a word in their correct order. It is a fundamental skill in language learning and academic writing. It is used when asking for clarification, studying vocabulary, or writing essays.

Examples

• Could you please spell a word that is difficult for you?

  Could you please spell a word that is difficult for you?

• The teacher asked us to spell a word on the whiteboard.

  The teacher asked us to spell a word on the whiteboard.

• If you don't know how to spell a word, look it up in the dictionary.

  If you don't know how to spell a word, look it up in the dictionary.

• He had to spell a word letter by letter during the spelling bee.

  He had to spell a word letter by letter during the spelling bee.

• I always struggle to spell a word like 'necessary' correctly.

  I always struggle to spell a word like 'necessary' correctly.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ How do you write-spell a word?

  ✓ How do you spell a word?

  'Spell' already means to write or say the letters of a word, so combining it with 'write' is redundant.

• ✗ Can you spell me this word?

  ✓ Can you spell this word for me?

  We do not put an indirect object pronoun directly after 'spell' without using the preposition 'for'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you are not sure, use a dictionary to help you ___.

  💡 Put the letters in the correct order.

  Show answer

  spell a word

• The English teacher showed us how to ___ on the board.

  💡 Write down the correct letters.

  Show answer

  spell a word