spelling mistake

Meaning

This refers to an error in the arrangement of letters to form a word. While minor spelling mistakes are common in casual texting, they can undermine the credibility of academic papers, resumes, and professional emails, making proofreading essential.

Examples

• I lost two points on my history essay because of a silly spelling mistake.

  I lost two points on my history essay because of a silly spelling mistake.

• Always proofread your resume to ensure there isn't a single spelling mistake.

  Always proofread your resume to ensure there isn't a single spelling mistake.

• Auto-correct usually catches a spelling mistake, but it can sometimes suggest the wrong word.

  Auto-correct usually catches a spelling mistake, but it can sometimes suggest the wrong word.

• The student made a spelling mistake by writing 'recieve' instead of 'receive'.

  The student made a spelling mistake by writing 'recieve' instead of 'receive'.

• Even a minor spelling mistake can change the meaning of a legal document.

  Even a minor spelling mistake can change the meaning of a legal document.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I did a spelling mistake in my essay.

  ✓ I made a spelling mistake in my essay.

  In English, we 'make' mistakes, we do not 'do' them.

• ✗ There were many orthography mistakes in his letter.

  ✓ There were many spelling mistakes in his letter.

  While 'orthography' is technically correct in linguistics, 'spelling mistake' is the standard, natural term used in academic and daily contexts.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Please check your work carefully to make sure there isn't a ___.

  💡 An incorrectly spelled word.

  Show answer

  spelling mistake

• Writing 'their' instead of 'there' is a common ___.

  💡 A mistake in how letters are put together.

  Show answer

  spelling mistake