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Like "learned/learnt" and "spelled/spelt," it’s a variation that shows how English refuses to stick to just one correct form. But there are clear patterns in how these words are used.
Keep it real. Keep it regional
In American English, "misspelled" dominates both formal and casual writing. News outlets, academic papers and everyday communication consistently use this -ed ending. The more traditional "misspelt" form rarely appears in US publications unless quoting British sources. The New York Times might write: "These words are commonly misspelled by students."
British English speakers comfortably use both versions. The Guardian and The Times regularly print "misspelt," but "misspelled" shows up just as often in their pages. Such flexibility matches other British verb patterns where both endings work - burnt/burned, dreamt/dreamed, and leapt/leaped. A BBC article could read: "The author's name was misspelt in several early editions," while The Telegraph may go with: "Students misspelled these words most often in 2023."
Australian and Canadian writers tend to follow British patterns, accepting both forms while slightly favouring "misspelled" in formal writing. The Sydney Morning Herald could publish: "The restaurant's name was misspelt on official documents," and The Globe and Mail might choose to write: "These Canadian place names are frequently misspelled by tourists."
About as clear as mud, right? As a rule of thumb, stick with "misspelled" if you're writing for an American audience or international readers. If you're writing for British, Australian or Canadian readers, either form works fine— just stay consistent within your document. And remember: whichever version you choose, you're not wrong. You're just speaking to your audience.
It’s all in he history
The -t ending comes from older Germanic language patterns, where many verbs changed form through ablaut (internal vowel changes) rather than adding -ed. Think of ring/rang/rung or sing/sang/sung. Over time, English moved toward regularising verbs with the -ed ending.
This shift happened faster in American English, which typically embraces simpler, more regular forms. Noah Webster's influential American dictionary actively promoted -ed endings as part of his campaign to rationalise English spelling.
Grammar patterns "Misspell" belongs to a small group of verbs that can take either ending in past tense and participle forms. These verbs usually describe physical actions or states:
spell → spelled/spelt learn → learned/learnt dream → dreamed/dreamt leap → leaped/leapt
The -ed ending follows the regular pattern of English verbs (walk/walked, talk/talked), making it easier for language learners to master. This regularity helps explain why "misspelled" has become more common globally.
Usage in practice
We’ve already given you an idea of which way to go with your misspelt/misspelt writing, but let’s dig a little deeper. Professional writers typically choose their form based on:
- Their audience's location
- House style guides
- Personal preference
- The tone they want to convey
Many British writers use "misspelt" in casual writing but switch to "misspelled" for formal documents. American writers rarely face this choice, as "misspelled" works in all contexts.
Digital influence
Online writing increasingly favours "misspelled," even in British contexts. It’s a shift that reflects both American digital dominance and the preference for regular forms in global communication. Spell-checkers and writing tools often mark "misspelt" as an error, though this doesn't reflect its accepted status in British English.
And let's be honest—the British (that’s us) can get quite protective of the language and how we think it should be written and spoken. For that reason, misspelt isn’t going anywhere any time soon.
Common combinations
Certain phrases tend to prefer one form, particularly in online content and educational materials. The -ed ending appears more frequently in phrases like:
- "commonly misspelled words"
- "frequently misspelled names"
- "most misspelled words of [year]"
The -ed ending appears more often in these set phrases, regardless of region. Even in British English areas where "misspelt" is common in general writing, these standard phrases usually keep their -ed endings in dictionaries and style guides.
Making your choice
Both forms work, but "misspelled" offers the safest choice for most situations. Writers needn't worry about getting it wrong—unlike truly incorrect spellings, neither version will mark you as careless or uneducated.
Professional contexts
Most major style guides have clear preferences. US guides like AP Stylebook and Chicago Manual strictly require "misspelled," while British and international guides typically accept both forms. The Times, The Economist, and Reuters all allow writers to choose based on their audience.
University style guides often mirror these patterns—American universities mandate "misspelled," while British institutions accept both versions. Even within organisations, department preferences may vary. For instance, marketing might choose the more common "misspelled" while academic publishing allows both forms.
Future trends
English constantly evolves, and regular forms typically win out over time. "Misspelled" may eventually dominate everywhere, but "misspelt" remains firmly standard in British English. This gradual shift matches broader patterns in English, where regular forms slowly replace irregular ones without completely eliminating them.
The debate over "misspelled" versus "misspelt" shows something important about English—it often maintains multiple correct forms rather than forcing everyone to use a single version. Such flexibility lets writers choose the form that best fits their audience and purpose.
And if you’re looking for writing that’s a great fit for your audience, use Conturae to create content that strikes a chord. Whether it’s misspelled or misspelt, we’ll use it in the right context in articles that capture your audience’s imagination.
