Website Writing Guide
Grammar and spelling
Spelling
Areas covered in this section:
English versus American spelling
The Macquarie Dictionary is the standard reference for spelling in Australia. It is available online by subscription.
Always use the English (Australian) spell checker on Microsoft Word. However, remember that words that are spelled correctly, but incorrectly used, will not be picked up by the spell checker.
For example: The school principle - instead of - The school principal.
English versus American spelling
Australia uses English spelling which varies in many respects from American spelling. Because American spell checkers are used by most word processors, American spelling is creeping more and more into usage in Australia. As information is often cut and pasted into Web pages the possibility arises of having both types of spelling on one page.
Always use the English (Australian) spell checker when writing and editing for Australian government websites or refer to the Macquarie Dictionary.
-ise/-ize endings
The -ize form is generally regarded as American usage, but is in fact originally English, now perpetuated mainly in America.
The -ise form is becoming increasingly common in England and has become the accepted form for Australian English. When in doubt, use the ending cited in the Macquarie Dictionary.
Some examples of the difference between English and American spelling:
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Note: Retain the American spelling when it is used in a proper noun or phrase, such as the name of an organisation or place. For example: ‘Australian Labor Party’ and ‘Victor Harbor’.
The following is a list of commonly used words that are frequently misspelled:
A |
H | P |
acceptable |
harass |
pastime |
accidentally |
height |
perseverance |
accommodate |
hierarchy |
personnel |
acquire |
humorous |
playwright |
acquit |
I |
possession |
a lot (two words) |
ignorance |
precede |
amateur |
immediate |
principal (head of a school) |
apparent |
independent |
principle (a belief or moral) |
argument |
indispensable |
privilege |
atheist |
inoculate |
pronunciation |
B |
intelligence |
publicly |
believe |
J |
Q |
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jewellery |
questionnaire |
C |
judgement |
R |
calendar |
K |
receive/receipt |
category |
kernel |
recommend |
cemetery |
L |
referred |
changeable |
leisure |
reference |
collectible |
liaison |
relevant |
column |
library |
restaurant |
committed |
license (to permit) |
rhyme |
conscience |
licence (a permit) |
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conscientious |
lightning |
rhythm |
conscious |
M |
S |
consensus |
maintenance |
schedule |
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manoeuvre |
separate |
D |
medieval |
sergeant |
discipline |
memento |
supersede |
drunkenness |
millennium |
T |
dumbbell |
miniature |
thank you |
E |
minuscule |
threshold |
embarrass (ment) |
mischievous |
twelfth |
exhilarate |
misspell |
tyranny |
exceed |
N |
V |
existence |
neighbour |
vacuum |
F |
noticeable |
W |
fiery |
weather |
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foreign |
O |
weird |
G |
occasionally |
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gauge |
occurrence |
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grateful |
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guarantee |
Other topics in this section
Guide Home | Grammar | Spelling | Tricky words and phrases |
