Mnemonics   Ways to remember how to spell those tricky words

English can be a tricky language to master and each of us will have difficulty in spelling certain words although the words in question are likely to be different for each individual.  Mnemonics can help.

Here are a few mnemonics, shortcuts and phrases I have come across, but I am sure you will have some of your own, so please let us know.  Send them into us at june@hintsandthings.co.uk so we can add them to this page and help others -

WOULD / SHOULD / COULD

Anna Middleton says the following helps her class remember how to spell these words:-

"o u lucky duck"

THERE / THEIR

THEIR meaning "belonging to them".

THERE meaning "in that place"

This can be remembered by "HERE and THERE", therefore, "in that place" is the one ending in the word "here".

STALAGMITE / STALACTITE

STALAGMITE meaning a deposit of calcium carbonate formed by the dripping of water into the shape of a large inverted icicle rising from the floor of a cave.

STALACTITE   meaning a deposit of calcium carbonate formed by the trickling of water from the roof of a cave.

There are several ways to remember which is which -

• Remember this by a stalagmite pushes up with all it's might and a stalactite holds on tight to the roof.
  

• Perhaps an easier way to remember these has been sent in by Vineet -

STALAGMITE      -  From the Ground

STALACTITE       -  From the Ceiling

• Or as Alan Ashmole suggests StalagMites Mount

A slightly risqué method of remembering the difference between stalaGmites and stalaCtites. 

Gee, the mites fly up and see the tights fall down!    

Think of ants in your pants: The mites go up and the tights come down.

Chris Roerden

(I would point out to non-English English speakers that tights are pantyhose).  

WAFT / WEFT

In fabric which direction do the warp and weft run.

WEFT goes left to right across the fabric.

WARP goes vertically top to bottom.

Weft = left to right, therefore, warp must be top to bottom.

NECESSARY  

It is NECESSARY to have one (C)ollar and two (S)leeves

Katie Sassoon

Or you can use the following phrases to remember how to spell this word.

 

Never Eat Cucumber Eat Salmon Sandwiches And Remain Young

or 

Never Eat Crisps Eat Salad Sandwiches And Remain Young  

Jaimie Ramsay

or

Never Eat Chips Eat Salad Sandwiches And Raspberry Yoghurt.   Unlike the variants on your web site, this carries a very sensible health message that does not breach trade description legislation!    

or

Never Eat Cress Eat Salad Sandwiches And Remain Youthful.

or

A vicar has one collar and two socks. - NECESSARY

Amante Darmanin

ARITHMETIC

A Red Indian Thought He Might Eat Toffee In Church

 Kate Williams.

It has been brought to my notice that the term "Red Indian" is offensive to some people so perhaps the following is a less sensitive alternative.

A Rat In The House May Eat The Ice Cream

Don't forget if you have any of these little "tricks" or your own, please share them with the rest of us.

Meggan & Justin Robertson

EQUAL

Eat Quickly U (as in you) Are Late

Meggan & Justin Robertson

BELIEVE/BELIEF

There is a lie in the middle of believe and belief

Never believe a lie

Alex K

SECRETARY

A Secretary has a secret.

ACCOMMODATION

Two cots need two mattresses in any accommodation.

SEPARATE

There is a rat in separate.

or

There is a parachute in separate.

MANOEUVRE

Old elephants usually manoeuvre poorly.

BUSINESS

You take the bus to business.

BEAUTIFUL

Sue Rogers, a teacher at Chipping Hill Primary School, Witham. Essex contacted me saying that some of her class were having difficulty remembering how to spell BEAUTIFUL. They came up with the following which they thought maybe of help to others:

Big Elephants Are Under Trees In Forests Until Light

Alex K

MISSED

Mysticile Island Sitting Silently Eating Dinner

Kimberly Woolley

SAID

Sally Ann Is Dancing

Lucy Stevens

Sam Ate Iced Donuts  (doughnuts)

Karen Hopps

WHAT

Wonky Hats Always Topple

Karen Hopps

JEALOUSY

JeaLOUSY is a LOUSY feeling.

Alex K

POLICE

PO - LICE

Loretta

KNARESBOROUGH (an historic market town in the Borough of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England.)