ABE English Tutorial

Spelling List

Discussion

Here is the first spelling list for GED practice. No doubt it looks pretty easy to you, but make sure that you don't make the common mistakes that many people do!

Spelling word	Sentence	Common mistakes
I	I am working on my spelling.	Don't forget to capitalize "I"
my	This is my homework.	no capital letter
too	Most people have too much fat in their diet.	Don't confuse "too" with "to": She walked to the store.
our	Our house is on Fifth Street.	Don't confuse "our" with "are". (see below)
are	There are twelve eggs in a dozen.	Don't confuse with "are" with "our", as described above.
off	Karen took the book off the shelf.	Don't confuse "off" with "of": Lou bought a box of apples.
was	Cindi was the best speller in her class.	no "z" in "was"
it's	It's a beautiful day for a picnic.	The word "it's", when spelled with an apostrophe ( ' ) means "it is". Don't confuse this word with "its" (no apostrophe), which is used to show possession, like this: The dog slept in its house.
buy	I have to buy two bags of oranges.	Don't confuse with "by": The bus route goes right by my house. ... or with "bye", as in "good-bye"
can't	A young child can't sit still for very long.	"can't" means "can not". Don't forget the apostrophe.
a lot	Kittens need a lot of sleep.	"a lot" is two separate words!
play	My parents play cards every night.	Note that "play" ends in a "y"
went	She went into town to do her shopping.	No "h" in "went"
once	Once upon a time, a long time ago...	The word "once" starts with an "o" because it comes from the word "one"
want	I want a new jacket for my birthday.	No "h" in "want". Also, don't confuse "want" with "went".
don't	Cats don't like to get their feet wet.	Don't forget the apostrophe between the "n" and the "t"
very	A shrew is a very small mammal.	Only one "r" in "very"
were	Electric lights were invented over a hundred years ago.	Don't confuse "were" with "where" (see below)
with	Marc likes to eat pie with ice cream.	Some people mistakenly spell "with" with an extra "h", as in "whith"
upon	The antique clock sat upon the shelf.	"Upon" is all one word
they	Her friends said that they would help her.	"They" has an "e", not an "a"
then	First we'll eat; then we'll talk.	"Then" refers to what happens next. Don't confuse it with "than", which is used to compare two things, as in: My brother got more cake than I did.
said	She said that I could have the job.	"Said" is the past tense of "say", but there is no "y" in "said".
have	All birds have two legs.	Don't forget the "e" on the end of "have"
like	We like cool autumn days.	Watch out for the silent "e" at the end of this word.
when	The roads get slippery when the weather turns cold.	Don't forget the silent "h", and don't confuse "when" with "went".
we're	We're going to Toronto on our vacation next year.	The word "we're" means "we are". Don't forget the apostrophe, and don't confuse it with "were".
know	I already know how to spell most of these words.	Don't confuse this word with "no": There are no dinosaurs left in the world today.
let's	Let's try to learn something new each day.	"Let's" means "let us". Don't forget the apostrophe!
house	A house is a small building where people live.	Don't get the "o" and the "u" spelled backwards in "house".
where	I couldn't remember where I put my socks.	Don't forget the "h" and don't confuse this word with "were".
you're	You're just too good to be true.	The word "you're" means "you are". Don't confuse it with "were".