an extra letter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an extra letter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an additional letter that is not needed or is added to a word or phrase, often in the context of spelling or writing. Example: "The word 'accommodate' often confuses people because they tend to add an extra letter, making it misspelled."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Each clue in Level 7 contains an extra letter that must be removed before the clue can be solved.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

More than once the students actually asked permission to write an extra letter in order to bring about a conclusion to their particular character's story arc.

University of California, Berkeley

When I checked the e-tickets a couple of weeks later I realised I had added an extra letter to my friend's surname.

The Guardian - Money

Census workers are being taught, for example, to look for clues that a house has two families living in it, such as an extra letter box or electricity meter.

The Economist

He seemed to think he was making a point against Einstein, rather than for him, for he added: "There is only one fault with his cosmical religion: he put an extra letter in the word - the letter "s"." There is nothing comical about Einstein's beliefs.

The Guardian - Books

If a student's résumé says she is captain of the soccer team, and her coach wrote an extra letter of recommendation, then turn to another topic.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Bijli, a superstitious sort who has also spelled his name Ajjay for a lucky extra letter, was 12 when his father got hold of the Priya.

Forbes

"Perhaps because it is associated with young women — or perhaps because it is playful — word elongation disarms," argued The Cut. "Thus, when asking a favor or making a demand, extra letters soften the blow.

Huffington Post

But be warned: the quest for a few extra letters after your name is not an easy one.

The Guardian

But, in a piece over on the Guardian's Blogging Students, she warned the quest for a few extra letters after your name is not an easy one.

The Guardian

Because as of this week, one extra letter gets you a third more funding.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When editing, actively look for potential instances where you might have inadvertently added "an extra letter" to a word, especially in commonly misspelled words.

Common error

Be mindful of common misspellings where words often gain "an extra letter". Double-check words like "accommodate" or "separate" to ensure correct spelling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an extra letter" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies a letter that is additional or unnecessary within a word or text, and Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

23%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an extra letter" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that refers to an additional, unnecessary letter in a word or text. Ludwig confirms its validity and widespread usage across various contexts. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Academic sources. While generally indicating an error, it can sometimes be used deliberately for stylistic effect. When writing, it is best to actively identify words with a potential extra letter, being careful of common misspellings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A superfluous letter

This alternative highlights the unnecessary nature of the letter.

An added letter

Focuses on the action of adding a letter, regardless of necessity.

An unnecessary letter

Emphasizes the lack of need for the letter.

A redundant letter

Indicates that the letter is repetitive and doesn't add meaning.

An additional character

Broader term encompassing letters and other symbols.

A misplaced letter

Implies the letter is not only extra, but also in the wrong position.

An extraneous letter

A more formal way to say an unnecessary letter.

A rogue letter

Suggests the letter is out of place and unwanted.

An inserted letter

Highlights the act of putting a letter into a word.

A padding letter

Focuses on letter serving purpose of filling space.

FAQs

How can I avoid adding "an extra letter" when I write?

Proofreading carefully and using a spell checker are good ways to avoid adding "an extra letter". Pay close attention to words you often misspell.

What is the difference between "an extra letter" and a typo?

A typo is a general term for a mistake in typing, while "an extra letter" specifically refers to the presence of an additional, unnecessary letter in a word. A typo can include missing letters, wrong letters or "transposed letters".

What can I say instead of "an extra letter"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "superfluous letter", "unnecessary letter", or "redundant letter".

Is adding "an extra letter" always a mistake?

Generally, yes. However, in some contexts, like internet slang or intentional misspellings for emphasis, adding "an extra letter" can be used deliberately for stylistic effect.