Spelling mistakes happen, and they happen for a variety of reasons. Mostly, they are forgiven (we’ve all been there) or go unnoticed. Sometimes, they attract criticism of varying degrees. They may cause embarrassment or give the wrong impression. Rarely, (SPOILER) they may lead to the unmasking of a criminal (Line of Duty, BBC).
If word processing software doesn’t come to your assistance, here is one way to remember that definitely is spelled with an i and not an a:
Say those letters out loud:
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- For a, think ‘Eh?’: an uncertainty that is at odds with the word you’re spelling.
- For i, think ‘Aye!’: a vote of confidence.
This is one easy step towards improving the impression that you give with your writing. However, don’t let spelling get in the way of your writing. If you have something to say, or a story to tell, then I would say that you should get on with that and check the spelling later or let someone do that for you. A professional editor or proofreader will not criticise or judge you for mistakes. If you would like me to help you to present the best version of your writing, please get in touch here.
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