The English language is filled with word pairs that are tricky to spell either because they sound identical to another word with a different meaning (these are called homophones) or they sound similar to another word with a different meaning. A previous post, Creative Tips for Spelling Confusing Word Pairs, offered some tips about remembering spelling through associations. These associations are known as mnemonics.
Mnemonic: A device such as a pattern of letters, ideas, or associations that assists in remembering something.
Mnemonics can be used to help children remember how to spell commonly misspelled single words as well as word pairs.
Following are some mnemonics you can use to help your children with these pesky words.
Cemetery – ends in ery. There is nary an ary in it.
Definite (ly) – ends with it followed by a silent e because it is finite.
Noticeable – Notice the e, without it the word would be pronounced notikable.
Rhythm – Think about dancing to music and this sentence: Rhythm helps your two hips move.
Separate – Imagine there is a man named Sep; his wife sees a rat and yells, “Sep, a rat. Eek!”
Following are some more mnemonics for confusing word pairs.
Accept/except – Except leaves something out. Imagine ex-ing something out when you use the word except.
Affect/effect – Affect is a verb. Verbs are action words. Effect is almost always a noun. A = action.
Compliment/complement – a compliment is the opposite of an insult, and a complement usually enhances something (e.g. That blue shirt complements your blue eyes). I = insult and e = enhance.
Here/hear – You hear with your ear.
Quiet/quite – Quiet ends with an et sound and is spelled that way. Quite rhymes with bite and ends with ite.
A Mnemonic for Mnemonic
M = missing. The m sound is missing from the word mnemonic.
Create Your Own Mnemonics
As mentioned in the previous post, Creative Tips for Spelling Confusing Word Pairs, you and your child can create your own associations to aid in remembering the spelling of tricky words. Try to add personal associations from your child’s life to the mnemonics, and that will make it even easier for him or her to remember the mnemonics and succeed in spelling.
