15 Spelling Mistakes That Make You Look Unprofessional at Work

You can be brilliant at your job - strategic, creative, analytical, a natural leader - and still have your credibility quietly undermined by spelling mistakes in your emails, reports, and presentations. It's not fair, but it's true. In professional settings, spelling errors create an impression of carelessness, haste, or lack of attention to detail, even when none of those things are true about you. A single misspelled word in a client proposal, a job application, or an important email can shift how people perceive your competence, regardless of how strong your ideas are.

The frustrating reality is that the words professionals misspell most often are also the words they use most frequently. These aren't obscure vocabulary words - they're everyday business terms that show up in emails, Slack messages, reports, and presentations dozens of times a week. And because they're so common, getting them wrong is highly visible.

This guide covers the 15 spelling mistakes that most damage professional credibility, explains why each one happens, and gives you practical memory strategies to fix them permanently. Whether you're a manager, an entry-level employee, a freelancer, or anyone who communicates in writing at work, mastering these 15 words will immediately make your writing look more polished and professional.

Quick List (Save This)

If you only read one section, make it this one - these are the misspellings that get noticed fast:

1. definitely (not definately)
2. separate (not seperate)
3. accommodate (not accomodate)
4. occurrence (not occurence / occurance)
5. receive (not recieve)
6. privilege (not priviledge)
7. recommend (not reccomend)
8. necessary (not neccessary)
9. colleague (not collegue)
10. maintenance (not maintainance)
11. entrepreneur (not entrepeneur)
12. liaison (not liason)
13. hierarchy (not heirarchy)
14. conscientious (not consciencious)
15. questionnaire (not questionaire)

Why Spelling Still Matters in Professional Communication

Before diving into the specific words, it's worth understanding why spelling mistakes carry such weight in professional contexts.

First Impressions Are Often Written

Think about how much of your professional identity exists in text. Your LinkedIn profile. Your resume. Your cover letters. Your email signature. Your Slack messages. Your reports and presentations. Before most colleagues, clients, or employers ever hear you speak, they've already read your writing. Spelling errors in these first impressions can create doubt that's hard to undo.

Errors Signal Haste (Even When You're Not Rushing)

When someone reads a misspelled word, their brain often interprets it as a sign of rushing or not caring enough to proofread. This may not be true - you might simply have a spelling blind spot - but perception matters. A polished email suggests you took the time to get it right. An error suggests you didn't.

Certain Words Carry Extra Weight

Some words appear in almost every professional context: definitely, accommodate, separately, occurrence, receive. Because these words are so common, errors in them are noticed more often. Getting these right signals that you have command of professional vocabulary.

Autocorrect Doesn't Catch Everything

Many professionals assume their email client or word processor will catch all errors. But autocorrect misses correctly-spelled wrong words (your vs you're, their vs there), technical terms, proper nouns, and many common errors. Relying entirely on autocorrect is a risk.

For a deeper look at why adults struggle with spelling despite being capable in other areas, see: Why Adults Struggle With Spelling (And How to Fix It in 10 Minutes a Day)

The 15 Most Damaging Professional Spelling Mistakes

1. Definitely (not "definately")

Why it's so common: The word is pronounced with a schwa (unstressed "uh" sound) in the middle, so many people hear "defin-uh-tly" and guess the vowel wrong.

Why it matters: Definitely appears constantly in professional writing ("I'll definitely have that ready by Friday," "We should definitely pursue this opportunity"). Getting it wrong in a client email or presentation is highly visible.

Memory trick: Think of the word finite inside: de-finite-ly. If something is definite, it has finite boundaries - it's certain.

Correct: definitely
Wrong: definately, definitly, definatly

2. Separate (not "seperate")

Why it's so common: The middle syllable has an unstressed vowel that sounds like "uh," making the "a" invisible to your ear.

Why it matters: You separate data, separate responsibilities, send separate emails, create separate documents. This word appears constantly in business communication.

Memory trick: There's a rat in sepa rate. Picture a rat separating two items.

Correct: separate, separately, separation
Wrong: seperate, seperately, seperation

3. Accommodate (not "accomodate")

Why it's so common: People forget whether to double the "c" or the "m" - or both. It's one of the most misspelled words in business English.

Why it matters: You accommodate clients, accommodate requests, book accommodations, and accommodate schedules. It's essential vocabulary for hospitality, customer service, and any client-facing role.

Memory trick: The word has room for two c's and two m's - it accommodates double letters. Think: cc + mm.

Correct: accommodate, accommodation
Wrong: accomodate, acommodate, accomadate

4. Occurrence (not "occurence" or "occurance")

Why it's so common: Two problems at once - the double "r" and the "-ence" ending (not "-ance").

Why it matters: Reports, incident documentation, project updates, and technical writing all use this word. "This occurrence was reported at 3pm" looks unprofessional when misspelled.

Memory trick: The word occur gets two r's when something happens again (occurred, occurrence). And it ends in -ence, like reference.

Correct: occur, occurred, occurring, occurrence
Wrong: occurence, occurance, occured, ocurring

5. Receive (not "recieve")

Why it's so common: The old "i before e except after c" rule gets confused, and people don't trust it.

Why it matters: You receive emails, receive feedback, receive deliveries, receive payments. This word is everywhere in professional contexts.

Memory trick: C comes before the E: receive. After the "c," the "e" goes first. The full rule: "i before e except after c" works here perfectly.

Correct: receive, received, receiving, receipt
Wrong: recieve, recieved, reciept

6. Privilege (not "priviledge" or "privelege")

Why it's so common: People add a "d" because it sounds like "ledge," or they mix up the vowels.

Why it matters: "It's a privilege to work with you," "privileged information," "user privileges" - this word appears in both formal correspondence and technical contexts.

Memory trick: There's no "ledge" in privilege. Think: privilege - a special legal right. Lege = legal.

Correct: privilege, privileged
Wrong: priviledge, privelege, privelige

7. Recommend (not "reccomend" or "recomend")

Why it's so common: The double "m" surprises people, and some add a double "c" instead.

Why it matters: Recommendations drive business - you recommend products, strategies, candidates, and solutions constantly.

Memory trick: Only the M is doubled: recommend. One C, two M's. Think: "I recommend you remember the MM."

Correct: recommend, recommended, recommendation
Wrong: reccomend, recomend, reccommend

8. Necessary (not "neccessary" or "necessery")

Why it's so common: The single "c" / double "s" pattern trips people up. It feels like there should be more double letters.

Why it matters: "It's necessary to complete this by Friday," "the necessary documents" - this word is constant in workplace communication.

Memory trick: One collar (c), two socks (ss). A shirt has one collar and a pair of socks has two: necessary.

Correct: necessary, necessarily, necessity
Wrong: neccessary, necessery, neccessery

9. Colleague (not "collegue" or "colleage")

Why it's so common: The "-eague" ending is unusual, and "league" by itself is more familiar.

Why it matters: You reference your colleagues constantly. Getting this wrong in an internal email or LinkedIn post is embarrassing.

Memory trick: Your colleague is in your league at work. The word ends exactly like league.

Correct: colleague, colleagues
Wrong: collegue, colleage, collaegue

10. Maintenance (not "maintainance" or "maintenence")

Why it's so common: The word maintain has an "ai," but maintenance has an "e" - the vowel pattern changes.

Why it matters: IT teams, facilities, operations, and anyone discussing ongoing work uses this word frequently.

Memory trick: Maintenance has ten in it, not tain. Think: "maintenance takes ten minutes."

Correct: maintenance
Wrong: maintainance, maintenence, maintanence

11. Entrepreneur (not "entrepeneur" or "entreprenuer")

Why it's so common: French spelling, multiple r's and e's, and an unusual "eur" ending all create confusion.

Why it matters: In startup culture, business development, and professional networking, this word is unavoidable. Misspelling it on LinkedIn or in a pitch is a bad look.

Memory trick: Break it down: entre-pre-neur. Focus on pre in the middle and neur (like "neural") at the end.

Correct: entrepreneur, entrepreneurial, entrepreneurship
Wrong: entrepeneur, entreprenuer, entrepreneuer

12. Liaison (not "liason" or "liasion")

Why it's so common: The double "i" pattern and French origin make this word feel slippery.

Why it matters: "She's the client liaison," "liaison between departments" - this word is common in roles involving coordination and communication.

Memory trick: li-ai-son has ai in the middle, like airport - the place where people make connections.

Correct: liaison
Wrong: liason, liasion, liaision

13. Hierarchy (not "heirarchy" or "hiarchy")

Why it's so common: The "ie" combination and the "ch" sounding like "k" create confusion.

Why it matters: Org charts, management structures, and project roles all involve hierarchies. This word is standard in corporate communication.

Memory trick: Think: hier (like "here" with an i) + archy (like monarchy). Here is your archy = hierarchy.

Correct: hierarchy, hierarchical
Wrong: heirarchy, hiarchy, hierachy

14. Conscientious (not "consciencious" or "concientious")

Why it's so common: The word has unusual spelling for its sounds (sc, ie, ti), and it's long.

Why it matters: "A conscientious worker," "conscientious about deadlines" - this is high-value praise in professional contexts. Don't ruin it with a typo.

Memory trick: Break it down: con-sci-en-tious. The word contains science (con-scien-tious) and ends like "pretentious."

Correct: conscientious
Wrong: consciencious, concientious, consientious

15. Questionnaire (not "questionaire" or "questionnare")

Why it's so common: The double "n" followed by "aire" is an unusual French pattern that doesn't match how it sounds.

Why it matters: Surveys, feedback forms, and research all involve questionnaires. HR, marketing, and product teams use this word constantly.

Memory trick: Question + n + aire. The word has one more "n" than you expect: questionnaire.

Correct: questionnaire
Wrong: questionaire, questionnare, questionairre

Quick Reference Table: The 15 Words at a Glance

Word	Common Error	Memory Trick
definitely	definately	Contains "finite"
separate	seperate	A rat in separate
accommodate	accomodate	Two c's, two m's
occurrence	occurence	Two r's, -ence ending
receive	recieve	i before e, except after c
privilege	priviledge	No "ledge" - lege = legal
recommend	reccomend	One c, two m's
necessary	neccessary	One collar, two socks
colleague	collegue	Ends like "league"
maintenance	maintainance	Has "ten" not "tain"
entrepreneur	entrepeneur	Entre-pre-neur
liaison	liason	Has "ai" like airport
hierarchy	heirarchy	"hier" + "archy"
conscientious	consciencious	Contains "science"
questionnaire	questionaire	Question + n + aire

How to Fix These Mistakes Permanently

Knowing the correct spelling isn't enough - you need to retrain your automatic writing. Here's how to make these corrections permanent:

1. Write From Memory, Then Check

Don't just read the correct spelling - write each word from memory and then check your work. This is called retrieval practice, and it's far more effective than passive review. The science behind this approach shows that actively recalling information strengthens memory pathways much more than re-reading.

2. Focus on Your Personal Worst 5

You don't need to tackle all 15 at once. Identify the 5 words you personally get wrong most often and focus there first. Once those are solid, add more.

3. Use the "Highlight the Trap" Method

For each word, identify the specific part you always get wrong - the double letter, the vowel, the ending. Highlight or underline just that part. This focuses your attention where it matters.

4. Practice in Context

Write short sentences using your target words: "I'll definitely have the report ready." "Please confirm you've received the documents." "We should accommodate their request." Context helps memory stick.

5. Do a Quick Search Before Sending

For important documents, search for your known problem words before hitting send. Even just typing "def" in the search bar helps you spot any "definately" errors.

6. Set Up a 10-Minute Daily Routine

Short, consistent practice beats long, sporadic sessions. A focused 10-minute routine builds long-term spelling confidence without overwhelming your schedule.

For a complete daily routine you can follow: The 10-Minute Daily Spelling Practice Routine

What to Do When You're Unsure

Even with practice, you'll occasionally doubt yourself. Here's how to handle those moments:

Use Quick Reference Tools

Keep a short list of your problem words visible near your workspace. A sticky note with 5 tricky spellings is faster than Googling every time.

When in Doubt, Rewrite

If you're unsure how to spell a word in a quick email, sometimes the fastest solution is to use a synonym. "I'll certainly have that ready" instead of wrestling with "definitely." This isn't weakness - it's strategic communication.

Trust Spell-Check, but Verify

Spell-check catches many errors, but not all. If spell-check flags something, pay attention. But also do a final read-through yourself, especially for high-stakes documents.

Don't Panic Over Typos

Everyone makes typos occasionally. If you catch one after sending, a quick follow-up ("*definitely - typo correction!") is usually fine. What matters is the pattern: if you're constantly making the same error, fix the underlying habit.

The Business Case for Better Spelling

Improving your spelling isn't just about avoiding embarrassment - it has real professional benefits:

Faster Writing

When you're confident in your spelling, you write faster. You stop second-guessing, stop Googling, and stop rephrasing to avoid tricky words. Your thoughts flow onto the page without friction.

Clearer Communication

Spelling errors can distract readers from your actual message. When the spelling is clean, readers focus on your ideas, not your typos.

Stronger First Impressions

Whether it's a job application, a client email, or a LinkedIn post, polished spelling signals competence and attention to detail.

More Confidence

The psychological benefit is real. When you trust your spelling, you write more boldly. You use the vocabulary you want instead of settling for "safer" alternatives.

Beyond These 15: Building Long-Term Spelling Strength

Once you've mastered these 15 words, you can continue building your professional spelling skills:

Learn common spelling patterns: Understanding the underlying patterns of English spelling (like the "-tion/-sion" endings or when to double consonants) helps you spell thousands of words correctly. See: The 7 Most Important English Spelling Patterns Every Learner Should Know

Review commonly misspelled words: Many of the words on this list appear in broader collections of commonly misspelled words. See: Commonly Misspelled Words (and Tricks to Remember Them)

Understand why adults struggle: If you've wondered why spelling feels harder as an adult, there are real reasons - and they're fixable. See: Why Adults Struggle With Spelling (And How to Fix It in 10 Minutes a Day)

Your Next Step: Pick Your Worst 3 and Start Today

You don't need to fix all 15 words at once. Here's what to do right now:

1. Scan the list and identify 3 words you personally get wrong most often
2. Write each word correctly three times from memory
3. Create a memory cue for each (use the tricks above or make your own)
4. Write a sentence using each word in a realistic work context
5. Review tomorrow - write from memory again and check

Do this for one week, and those 3 words will become automatic. Then add 3 more. Within a month, you'll have eliminated the errors that were quietly undermining your professional image.

Your spelling doesn't define your intelligence - but it does shape how others perceive your attention to detail. Take control of these 15 words, and you'll write with more confidence, more speed, and more professionalism.

Related Reading on Spelling.School

• Why Adults Struggle With Spelling (And How to Fix It in 10 Minutes a Day)

• The 10-Minute Daily Spelling Practice Routine

• Commonly Misspelled Words (and Tricks to Remember Them)

• The Science of Spelling: How Spaced Repetition Boosts Memory

• The 7 Most Important English Spelling Patterns Every Learner Should Know

• How to Finally Master English Spelling: A Simple Guide for Adults & ESL Learners

• British vs American Spelling: The Complete Guide (And Which One to Use)