Common Spelling Mistakes in IELTS: Tips, Lists, and How to Avoid Them

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In IELTS (International English Language Testing System), while many students focus on grammar and vocabulary, spelling accuracy has a direct impact on both the Writing and Listening sections, which are scored on a 0-9 band scale, with half-band increments possible. 

In the IELTS exam, even minor spelling errors can lower your score in Writing by affecting task achievement, coherence, and grammatical range. In the Listening section, misspelled answers can lead to zero points, as you're expected to write the word exactly as heard. Spelling accuracy plays a direct role in your final IELTS exam score.

This guide will walk you through the most common spelling mistakes in the IELTS exam, tips to avoid them, and keywords to focus on for improving your score.

Common Spelling Mistakes in IELTS: Overview

Examiners do not ‘guess’ the intended words in the Writing and Listening sections, and even small spelling errors can lead to deductions. 

Incorrect spelling can lower your IELTS band score for the writing part by as much as 0.5 bands, especially if mistakes are frequent or interfere with the clarity of your writing. Similarly, in listening, it can cost you multiple points, especially if the spelling is wrong, even if the pronunciation is correct.

Explore your full potential with upGrad's free IELTS preparation course, featuring specialized lessons, expert feedback, and practice that guarantees results!

To give you a clearer idea, let's break down the most common types of spelling mistakes you'll encounter in the exam.

Type of Mistake	Examples	Correct Form
Omission of Letters	occuring → occurring	occurring
Extra Letters	recomend → recommend	recommend
Incorrect Vowel Usage	recieve → receive	receive
Confusion Between British / American English	colour → color (American)	colour (British)
Homophone Confusion	there → their, your → you're	there, their, you're
Silent Letters	recieve → receive	receive

Now that you've an idea of different types of spelling mistakes, let's take a closer look at each one.

1. Omission of Letters

One of the most common spelling mistakes in IELTS is the omission of letters, particularly vowels. While this may not seem like a big deal, it can negatively impact your score as it affects the clarity of your written response. 

Examiners are trained to look for accuracy in spelling, and even minor mistakes can lead to points being lost.

Examples:

• Occured → Occurred
• Acomodation → Accommodation
• Definately → Definitely
• Seperately → Separately
• Tommorow → Tomorrow
• Comming → Coming
• Embarrasing → Embarrassing
• Begining → Beginning

Why It Happens:

• Students often omit double consonants or vowels due to fast typing or writing.

Tip to Avoid:

• Practice regularly: Make spelling practice a part of your daily preparation. Break words into smaller segments to focus on commonly omitted letters.

2. Extra Letters

Another frequent spelling mistake is including extra letters. Many test-takers write words with unnecessary characters, likely due to confusion between similar-sounding words or writing under pressure.

Examples:

• Recomend → Recommend
• Wich → Which
• Writting → Writing
• Unneccessary → Unnecessary
• Aggrivated → Aggravated
• Occassion → Occasion
• Surrprise → Surprise

Why It Happens:

• This occurs when students are unsure of the correct spelling and write phonetically, adding extra letters that don't belong in the word.

Tip to Avoid:

• Familiarize yourself with common problematic words: Make a list of frequently misspelled words (e.g., "accommodation," "recommend," "separate") and review them daily. Pay attention to their correct forms.

3. Incorrect Vowel Usage

Incorrect vowel usage is another common mistake. Many students tend to swap vowels in certain words because of their similar sounds. This is especially common with words like "receive" and "believe."

Examples:

• Recieve → Receive
• Definately → Definitely
• Apreciate → Appreciate
• Seperated → Separated
• Concious → Conscious
• Saterday → Saturday
• Foward → Forward
• Occured → Occurred

Why It Happens:

• This typically occurs when students write words phonetically without considering the exact vowel combination.

Tip to Avoid:

• Use mnemonics: Create memory aids to remember tricky words. For example, for "receive," you might remember the phrase "I before E, except after C" to help with the correct spelling.

4. Confusion Between British and American English

The choice between British and American English spellings often confuses IELTS test-takers. While both are acceptable in the IELTS, it's essential to maintain consistency in your usage throughout the exam.

Examples:

• Colour (British) → Color (American)
• Centre (British) → Center (American)
• Theatre (British) → Theater (American)
• Realise (British) → Realize (American)
• Organisation (British) → Organization (American)
• Travelling (British) → Traveling (American)
• Aluminium (British) → Aluminum (American)
• Honour (British) → Honor (American)

Why It Happens:

• Indian students, in particular, often find it difficult to settle on one standard, as both British and American English are commonly used in India.

Tip to Avoid:

• Pick one version: Decide early whether you'll use British or American spellings and stick to it. This will help avoid confusion and give a more polished impression to the examiner.

5. Homophone Confusion

Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Mixing them up in the IELTS exam can lead to errors in both the Writing and Listening sections.

Examples:

• There → Their
• Your → You’re
• Its → It’s
• To → Too
• Weather → Whether
• Bare → Bear
• Brake → Break
• Principal → Principle

Why It Happens:

• This mistake occurs due to the auditory nature of the IELTS Listening section, where students may hear the words but misspell them. 
• It also happens in Writing when students confuse words that sound the same but are used in different contexts.

Tip to Avoid:

• Practice listening tips for IELTS: Regularly listen to English podcasts or news broadcasts. Pay close attention to how homophones are used in different contexts to improve your understanding.

6. Silent Letters

Silent letters can trip up many students, especially since English pronunciation doesn't always match spelling. Mistakes in spelling words with silent letters are common and can impact your IELTS score if they occur frequently.

Examples:

• Recieve → Receive (silent 'i')
• Writting → Writing (silent 'e')
• Knot → Not (silent 'k')
• Buisness → Business (silent 'i')
• Island → Island (silent 's')
• Psychology → Psychology (silent 'p')
• Subtle → Subtle (silent 'b')
• Debate → Debate (silent 'e')

Why It Happens:

• Students often forget that certain letters are not pronounced, such as "b" in "thumb" or "k" in "knife."

Tip to Avoid:

• Focus on phonetics: Do an IELTS reading practice and take time to learn which letters are silent in common words. Practice by speaking aloud and noting which letters are actually pronounced.

By understanding these common spelling mistakes in IELTS and learning how to avoid them, you can significantly improve your score. Consistency, daily practice, and attention to detail are key when it comes to spelling.

The next step is to understand why spelling matters so much in these sections. Let’s see ahead!

Why Spelling Matters in IELTS Writing and Listening?

In the IELTS exam, every detail matters, and spelling is no exception. Candidates must achieve a minimum overall band score of 6.0 to pass the exam. 

However, if spelling mistakes are frequent, your section scores could dip, and this may affect your ability to meet the required score for academic or immigration purposes.

• Writing Section: If a word is misspelled, it could impact your task achievement, coherence, and even grammar score, as the clarity of your message is affected. Depending on the frequency and seriousness of the mistakes, this could lower your Writing band score by 0.5 to 1 full band. 
• Listening Section: If the word is pronounced correctly, but misspelled, it is marked as wrong. This is crucial because, in listening, you are required to write the correct form of the word exactly as heard. It could lead to a reduction of 0.5 to 1 full band in your Listening score.

For example, if you hear the word "economic" but write "econimic," the answer is considered incorrect, even though the pronunciation was accurate.

Let’s look at some frequently confused homophones and how to avoid these errors in your exam.

Words That Sound Alike but Are Spelled Differently (Homophones)

Homophones can be a significant challenge in the Listening section of the IELTS. These words can easily lead to confusion, especially under time pressure. Even if the pronunciation is correct, a simple spelling error could cost you points.

Let’s see how these words appear in the IELTS Listening section, where test-takers might confuse one for another under pressure.

Word Pair	Meaning	Common Mistakes
Their / There / They’re	"Their" is possessive (e.g., their book)  "There" refers to location (e.g., over there)  "They’re" is a contraction of "they are."	"Their" instead of "there", "they're" instead of "their"
Your / You’re	"Your" is possessive (e.g., your book)  "You’re" is a contraction of "you are."	"Your" instead of "you're", or vice versa
Hear / Here	"Hear" means to listen  "Here" refers to location (e.g., over here).	"Hear" instead of "here", "here" instead of "hear"
To / Too / Two	"To" is a preposition (e.g., go to the store) "Two" is the number (e.g., two apples). "Too" means "also" or "excessive" (e.g., too much)	"Too" instead of "To", "Two" instead of "Too"
Its / It’s	"Its" is a possessive pronoun (e.g., its color) "It's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has" (e.g., it's raining).	"It’s" instead of "Its", "Its" instead of "It’s"

Note: Misspelled answers result in zero points for that answer, potentially lowering your overall Listening score by 0.5 to 1 band.

To avoid homophone errors, here are some quick tips:

• Practice Listening: Regularly listen to native English speakers, such as in podcasts or news reports. Focus on how homophones are used in context. This will help you better understand which word is appropriate in different situations.
• Write in Full Sentences: When practicing writing, always write full sentences and make sure you understand the meaning of each word before using it. This helps you avoid confusing words that sound similar.
• Proofread Your Work: In the Writing section, always set aside time to review your answers. Even small mistakes, like using "your" instead of "you’re," can impact your score.

Avoiding these mistakes requires practice and awareness, and by doing so, you'll avoid unnecessary point deductions. Remember, in IELTS, every detail counts.

Now, let’s turn our attention to a specific area of concern: spelling errors that are most commonly made by Indian IELTS test-takers!

Top Spelling Errors by Indian Test-Takers

So far, more than 10 million people have taken IELTS tests in over 100 countries worldwide. Indian students, in particular, often face unique challenges when preparing for the IELTS exam, especially with spelling. 

While some errors are universal, others are more region-specific, shaped by the influence of mother tongue, regional accents, and differences in educational backgrounds.

Let’s look at the most common spelling mistakes Indian students make and how these errors affect their scores.

Influence of Mother Tongue on Spelling

In India, English is widely taught, but it often coexists with numerous regional languages. This results in specific spelling mistakes linked to the sounds and structure of mother tongues. 

Key Influences:

• Phonetic Influence: Many Indian languages are highly phonetic, such as Bengali, meaning words are often written in a way that reflects their pronunciation. This habit can carry over.
• Inconsistent Vowel Sounds: Indian languages, especially Hindi and Tamil, have a different set of vowel sounds compared to English, leading to confusion over which vowel to use in English words.

Let's take a look at some common examples:

Mistake	Mother Tongue Influence	Correct Form
Recieve	Hindi and Tamil phonetic spelling (mishearing vowels)	Receive
Buisness	Influence of how vowels are pronounced in Hindi/Tamil	Business
Definately	Influence of phonetic spelling patterns in regional languages	Definitely
Acomodation	Influence of vowel sounds in Bengali and Kannada	Accommodation
Humerus	Mispronunciation influenced by Malayalam (omitting 'o' sound)	Humorous
Ressieve	Mispronunciation in Gujarati (wrong vowel pronunciation)	Receive
Enviroment	Mishearing of vowels in Kannada and Tamil	Environment
Comming	Influence of phonetic spelling in Bengali and Hindi	Coming
Sceptical	Influence from how vowels are handled in Gujarati and Malayalam	Skeptical
Alot	Regional mispronunciation leading to the separation of letters	A lot (two words)

Note: Minor spelling errors can reduce your score by 0.5 to 1 band, depending on frequency and severity. Incorrect spelling can impact Task Achievement, Coherence, and Grammatical Range, as clarity is key.

Common Confusions with Silent Letters (e.g., "Receipt," "Island")

Silent letters in English can be a stumbling block for many test-takers, especially those from India who rely on phonics from their native languages.

Why Silent Letters Are a Challenge:

• Pronunciation Patterns: Indian languages don't have many silent letters, so this concept can be complex for many students to grasp.
• Incorrect Spelling Based on Sound: Students may write words phonetically, leading to common errors like "receit" instead of "receipt."

Let's examine some other examples where silent letters commonly cause confusion:

Mistake	Silent Letter Confusion	Correct Form
Recieve	Silent "i" before "e"	Receive
Islan	Silent "d" at the end	Island
Writting	Silent "e" at the end of "write"	Writing
Thier	Silent "i" before "e"	Their
Acommodate	Silent "o" after "c"	Accommodate
Humerus	Silent "e" in "humorous"	Humorous
Resevation	Silent "e" after "v"	Reservation
Paticular	Silent "u" after "t"	Particular
Dissapoint	Silent "i" after "s"	Disappoint
Saddness	Silent "e" at the end	Sadness

Misspellings of Academic Vocabulary

Important vocabulary in IELTS plays a crucial role in the Writing and Speaking tests, and misspelling these words can directly impact your score. Many students struggle with complex, multi-syllabic words that are commonly used in academic settings.

Why It’s a Common Issue:

• Complexity of Words: Many academic words have multiple syllables or irregular spelling, making them hard to memorize or spell correctly.
• Influence of Regional Spelling: Indian students may rely on regional spelling conventions, which sometimes differ from standard academic forms.

Here are some typical instances of it:

Mistake	Common Reason for Error	Correct Form
Accomodation	Regional habit of shortening double consonants	Accommodation
Apreciate	Absence of the double "p" is a frequent error	Appreciate
Governence	Common mispronunciation of "governance"	Governance

By understanding the influence of your mother tongue on English spelling, familiarizing yourself with silent letter patterns, and mastering academic vocabulary, you can significantly reduce these common spelling errors in the IELTS exam.

Now, let's understand the distinction between British and American English spellings.

Common British vs American Spelling Differences to Know

In IELTS, British and American English have distinct spelling differences that can affect your writing. For example, British English often uses ‘-ise’ (e.g., realise) while American English uses ‘-ize’ (e.g., realize). Another notable difference is the use of ‘s’ in British English (defence) versus ‘z’ in American English (defense).

While the IELTS exam doesn't penalize you for using either British or American English, it's essential to choose one style and stick to it consistently throughout the test. Switching between the two can make your writing appear inconsistent and reflect poorly on your attention to detail and language proficiency.

Here's a breakdown of some of the most frequent spelling differences between British and American English:

British English	American English	Example Usage
-our	-or	Colour (British) vs. Color (American)
-re	-er	Centre (British) vs. Center (American)
-ise	-ize	Realise (British) vs. Realize (American)
-ce	-se	Defence (British) vs. Defense (American)
-ll	-l	Traveller (British) vs. Traveler (American)
-ae/oe	-e	Oestrogen (British) vs. Estrogen (American)
-our	-or	Labour (British) vs. Labor (American)
-gue	-g	Catalogue (British) vs. Catalog (American)
-yzed	-yze	Analyze (British) vs. Analyse (American)
-tre	-ter	Theatre (British) vs. Theater (American)

Whether you prefer British or American spelling, consistency is the key to scoring well in the Writing and Listening sections.

Now that you are aware of the common spelling mistakes in IELTS and the key factors that influence them, it's time to focus on practical steps you can take to improve your spelling. 

Practice Exercises to Learn IELTS Spelling

Consistent practice is the key to learning spelling for the IELTS exam. While it may seem like a small detail, spelling mistakes can cost you valuable points in both the Writing and Listening sections. 

Fortunately, there are many effective ways to improve your spelling through daily practice and targeted exercises.

Here are some actionable tips for effective daily spelling practice:

1. Use Flashcards

By writing the word on one side and its definition or correct usage on the other, you can quickly test yourself and reinforce memory.

• Tip: Include both British and American spellings on separate cards to familiarize yourself with the differences. This will help you keep track of which spelling is correct based on the version of English you're using.

Practice Question: Write five commonly misspelled IELTS words on flashcards, including their correct forms and definitions (e.g., accommodation, definitely).

2. Keep a Mistake Log

Whenever you make a spelling mistake, note it down in a dedicated log. This log will not only highlight common areas where you need improvement but will also serve as a reminder to focus on specific words.

• Tip: At the end of each week, review your mistake log and prioritize the words you still struggle with. Create a new set of flashcards based on this log to reinforce learning.

Practice Question: Review your mistake log and identify three words you often misspell. Write them correctly and practice using them in sentences.

3. Practice Dictation

By practicing dictation, you will improve both your listening accuracy and your ability to spell correctly under time pressure.

• Tip: Use IELTS essay writing samples, listening practice tests, or even YouTube videos of native English speakers. Write down what you hear and check the spelling afterward.

Practice Question: Listen to an IELTS Listening practice test. Write down the answers, check the spelling, and correct any mistakes.

4. Read IELTS Sample Essays Aloud

Reading aloud not only helps with pronunciation but also reinforces spelling. This will help you memorize their correct spelling more effectively.

• Tip: Choose essays from reliable IELTS prep sources, such as the British Council or Cambridge. As you read, underline words that are commonly misspelled and practice writing them after you've finished.

Practice Question: Select an IELTS writing sample, read it aloud, and write down five words you think may be commonly misspelled. Practice writing them.

This IELTS preparation plan and exercises are designed to engage multiple senses, visual, auditory, and kinesthetic, helping you to retain spelling through repetition. 

By consistently practicing spelling in different contexts and through various methods, you'll reduce the likelihood of errors during the exam.

How Can upGrad Help You Prepare for IELTS Success?

Now you know the importance of spelling accuracy in IELTS and how common spelling mistakes in IELTS, like mother tongue influence, silent letters, and British vs. American spelling, can affect your score. Implementing the practical exercises is necessary to help you improve.

But knowing these factors is just the start. To truly excel in IELTS, you need a focused strategy, expert guidance, and consistent practice. upGrad offers a customized approach to IELTS preparation, with expert instructors, structured resources, and feedback to help you overcome every hurdle.

So why wait? Book a career counseling session with upGrad today and get a personalized plan to ace your IELTS and shape your future!