extra letter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extra letter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an additional letter that is not needed or is mistakenly included in a word or phrase. Example: "The word 'accommodate' has an extra letter that often confuses people."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 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

The letters painted on the kick drum conveyed the same sensibility: they were out, "LMFP," and fans were left to figure out for themselves what the extra letter stood for.

The New York Times - Arts

She was always prepared to write that extra letter or make that extra phone call, and doggedly took on the medical, government, and industrial establishments on their own terms – achieving results by submerging herself (with the help of others) in the legalities and technicalities of any problem.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

However, this time, each space will have two extra additional letters for each gene beyond the first: four letters for two genes, six letters for three genes.

WikiHow

So where are we getting those extra letters from?

The New York Times

Does it help to have extra letters of recommendation?

Princeton University

The rules are straightforward: many corners, no extra letters, no diagonals.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

When a daughter emerged, extra letters had to be squashed in.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing spelling errors or puzzles, use the phrase "extra letter" to clearly indicate an unintended or unnecessary character.

Common error

Avoid using "extra letter" when you mean a letter of recommendation. "Extra letter" refers to an additional character in a word, while a letter of recommendation is a document supporting an application.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extra letter" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig confirms this usage, demonstrating how the phrase is used to identify and describe an additional, often unnecessary, character in a word or phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extra letter" is a common and grammatically sound term used to describe an additional, often unnecessary, character in a word. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, from casual discussions about spelling to more formal linguistic analysis. While the register is generally neutral, its purpose is usually to identify errors or solve puzzles. Related phrases, such as "additional letter" or "unnecessary letter", offer subtle variations in meaning. When using "extra letter", be mindful to distinguish it from other similar-sounding phrases like "letter of recommendation". It is used across a range of sources, including news, academic texts, and wikis, cementing its place in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

additional letter

Focuses on the fact that the letter is added, it's a more direct synonym.

unnecessary letter

Highlights the redundancy of the letter in question.

superfluous letter

Emphasizes that the letter is beyond what is required.

redundant letter

Similar to superfluous, indicating the letter is not needed.

erroneous letter

Indicates the letter is incorrect or a mistake.

incorrect letter

Focuses on the inaccuracy of the letter's presence.

added letter

Simply states that a letter was added, without implying necessity or error.

supplemental letter

Means an additional letter for support, but it changes the context from the original meaning.

extraneous character

Broader term including non-letter symbols that are not needed.

inserted letter

Highlights the action of inserting a letter, neutral tone.

FAQs

What does "extra letter" mean?

An "extra letter" refers to a letter that is added to a word or phrase, often unintentionally or incorrectly, such as a typo or in a puzzle where a letter needs to be removed.

How to identify an "extra letter" in a word?

Look for letters that, when removed, create a valid word or correct the spelling. Sometimes, context clues can help you spot the "unnecessary letter".

What is the difference between "extra letter" and "additional letter"?

While both refer to a letter being added, "extra letter" often implies that the letter is unnecessary or incorrect, while "additional letter" is more neutral. The phrase "additional letter" can be intentional or required.

What can I say instead of "extra letter"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like ""unnecessary letter"", "superfluous letter", or "redundant letter" to describe the character.