A few of the most common spelling errors/mixups found on the internet.
This version is a quick reference, which only includes a brief explanation of the words. See the
long version for more thorough definitions.
| Word |
Type |
Grammar/Meaning/Example |
Confused with |
| buy |
verb |
Buy/buys/bought. To obtain in exchange for money. The opposite of sell |
by |
| by |
preposition |
Stand by me. By all means. Getting by. By and large |
buy |
| coming |
participle |
Come/comes/came. He'll be coming 'round the mountain when he comes |
- |
| comming |
- |
Spelling error |
coming |
| copywrite |
- |
Spelling error |
copyright |
| copyright |
noun |
Exclusive legal rights granted to the originator of original artistic and/or intellectual material |
- |
| could have |
- |
Might have |
- |
| could of |
- |
Spelling error |
could have |
| definately |
- |
Spelling error |
definitely |
| definitely |
adverb |
Certainly. Without doubt |
- |
| knew |
verb |
Past of know. I knew it |
new |
| new |
adjective |
Of recent origin or arrival. Tomorrow is a brand new day |
knew |
| of |
preposition |
Made of. A house of cards |
off |
| off |
preposition |
Away. At or to a distance. He drove off. Take your coat off |
of |
| sight |
noun/verb |
Seeing with the eyes: He lost his sight. A thing seen: That was not a pretty sight |
site |
| site |
noun/verb |
The new web site was very popular |
sight |
| sole |
adjective |
One and only. Single. Exclusive. She became the sole owner of the estate |
soul |
| soul |
noun |
The spiritual or immaterial part of a human being. Heart and soul |
sole |
| there |
adverb |
That place. We go there every day |
their, they're |
| their |
possesive pronoun |
Belonging to them. They were minding their own business |
there, they're |
| they're |
- |
Contraction of they are. They're very excited about the news |
there, their |
| to |
preposition |
Indicates approach and arrival. Go to the left and then to the right |
too |
| too |
adverb |
Over. More than enough. This is too much. You are too stubborn for your own good |
to |
| your |
possesive pronoun |
Belonging to you. This is your mess; clean it up yourself |
you're |
| you're |
- |
Contraction of you are. You're in a good mood today |
your |
