incorrect spelling

USAGE SUMMARY

"incorrect spelling" is not correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase "misspelling" instead. Example sentence: That email had several misspellings, so I had to send a corrected version.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The original used an incorrect spelling of Carolina Gottardo.

The Guardian

It also misspelled (as "Nackie") the family's surname, following an incorrect spelling in the program.

The New York Times

Spector gives the example of the incorrect spelling of "Barack" when President Obama shot to prominence.

The Guardian

And a correction in this space on Wednesday gave another incorrect spelling.

The New York Times

I resisted filling that in because it was an incorrect spelling of the author's last name.

The New York Times

And a correction in this space on Sept. 11 gave another incorrect spelling for the district.

The New York Times

This incorrect spelling was widely repeated, and the pistol became known as the derringer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A picture caption gave an incorrect spelling in some copies for the surname of a cousin of the victim.

The New York Times

Correction: An earlier version of this article had an incorrect spelling of Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy's (D) name.

The Washington Post

The Yashiro letters contain occasional incorrect spelling or trivial grammatical mistakes that in no way affect their meaning.

Harvard University

He added that most high streets had at least one advert or shopfront with an incorrect spelling or an apostrophe in the wrong place.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "misspelling" instead of "incorrect spelling" for better grammatical accuracy in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using phrases like "incorrect spelling error"; "misspelling" already implies an error. Redundancy weakens your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incorrect spelling" functions as a noun phrase describing an instance where spelling deviates from the accepted standard. While Ludwig shows frequent use, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically less ideal than alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "incorrect spelling" is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, it's important to note that Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically suboptimal. The preferred term is "misspelling", which offers a more concise and grammatically correct alternative. When aiming for precision and formality in your writing, especially in professional or academic settings, opting for "misspelling" is advisable. Remember to avoid redundant phrases like "incorrect spelling error", as "misspelling" inherently implies an error. In summary, while understandable, "incorrect spelling" can be improved upon for enhanced clarity and grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misspelling

A more concise and grammatically correct term for an instance of incorrect spelling.

erroneous spelling

Highlights the inaccuracy of the spelling.

spelling inaccuracy

Highlights the lack of precision in the spelling.

spelling mistake

Emphasizes the 'mistake' aspect, highlighting the error in spelling.

faulty spelling

Indicates a defect or flaw in the spelling.

bad spelling

A simple and direct way to describe poor spelling quality.

orthographical error

A more formal and technical term for a spelling mistake, often used in academic contexts.

typo

Focuses on errors made during typing, which can include spelling mistakes.

lapse in spelling

Suggests a temporary failure or oversight in spelling ability.

unconventional spelling

Implies a deviation from standard or accepted spelling rules.

FAQs

What is a better way to say "incorrect spelling"?

A more concise and grammatically sound alternative to "incorrect spelling" is "misspelling". This term directly refers to an instance of incorrect spelling.

Is "incorrect spelling" grammatically correct?

While commonly understood, "incorrect spelling" is not grammatically ideal. The term "misspelling" is preferred as it functions as a noun.

When should I use "misspelling" instead of "incorrect spelling"?

Use "misspelling" in formal writing or when precision is important. "Incorrect spelling" is generally understood but less grammatically precise.

How does "erroneous spelling" compare to "incorrect spelling"?

"Erroneous spelling" is a more formal way of saying "incorrect spelling", emphasizing the inaccuracy of the spelling. In most contexts, however, "misspelling" is still preferable.