Hard Spelling Words

This list of hard spelling words features many words in which there is confusion about doubling consonants when adding word endings.

So don't cry out of frustration over these difficult words! Instead, learn more about spelling these words correctly, with our free Step by Step spelling lesson on doubling final consonants when adding suffixes.

To Double, or Not to Double

Get your printable list of these hard spelling words, where doubling or not doubling consonants is the key to correct spelling.

admittance	beginning	committed	compelling
conference	controllable	deference	deferred
difference	different	edited	entering
equipped	excellent	forgettable	forgotten
formatting	happened	inference	labeled
numbered	occurrence	occurring	panicking
picnicking	piloted	planned	preference
profiting	propelled	reference	referring
regrettable	shoveling	stoppable	submitted
suffered	suffering	transferred	transmitter

Silent Letters

Here are more spelling words that are sometimes difficult because of silent first letters:

aisle	bdellium	czar	djembe
gnat	gnome	heir	herbivore
knight	knob	knock	knowledge
mnemonic	physical	physics	pneumatic
pneumonia	psalm	pseudonym	psoriasis
psychiatrist	psychosis	pterodactyl	tsunami
whose	wreath	wrestle	wrinkle

Additional Lists of Hard Spelling Words:

• 102 Frequently Misspelled words      
• Difficult IE/EI Spelling words
• 8th grade spelling words
• 9th grade spelling words
• 10th grade spelling words
• 11th grade spelling words
• 12th grade spelling words

For some really tough spelling words, we have a list of 100 Difficult Spelling Words for Spelling Bee Officials. We've included the pronunciation, definition, part of speech, etymology and a sentence for each word. If you're having a serious competition, this list is for you!

Spelling Lessons

Step-by-Step Lesson - This lesson methodically teaches when to double, and when not to double, the final consonant when adding suffixes. 

Step-By-Step Spelling Lesson Plans - Here's a very methodical way  to teach, or learn, those tricky IE/EI words. Great for ESL students, upper elementary students, or adults. You can use every step of this lesson, or just the ones that you need. This free printable lesson includes a link to big list of IE/EI words for extra study and practice.

Other Resources:

As student learn difficult words, make sure they know how to use them correctly. We have lots of fun spelling practice ideas, as well as spelling word games and spelling worksheets.

Be sure to try new ideas and share the ones that work best with other students, parents and teachers.

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AnyWord Spelling Practice Series   Fun Worksheets, games & prompts that work with almost ANY spelling words!

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