Spelling! How good are you at it really?
Since the dawn of the spellchecker, it seems us Brits have lost our way when it comes to spelling.
Ever so reliant on the tool for things like CVs or at work, a recent study found a whopping 92% of adults in the UK use some form of spellcheck to avoid mistakes.
Things like autocorrect, online spellcheckers and even dictionaries are widely turned to in order to avoid embarrassment in formal situations such as a job application, rather than social media platforms.
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The research conducted by Oxford Open Learning Trust also revealed 75% of people admitted a spelling error on their CV would leave them embarrassed.
However, fatal mistakes and typos do get made.
Sarah Taylor, an account manager from Reading, was left red-faced when she spelt her own name wrong on her CV, while Phil Parker vowed never to sign off his emails with 'Regards' after mistakingly writing 'Retards Phil' in an email to his boss.
The distance learning provider's survey also showed more than half of UK adults (56%) would judge someone based on their spelling.
Unsurprisingly, more than 70% of HR staff said they would judge a person on their spelling.
But interestingly, 61% of recruitment and HR employees agreed spelling had become less important.
So as a nation, which words make us trip up? We have put together a quiz of 10 pretty tricky words to spell, according to the survey, and challenge you to have a go.
Dr Nick Smith, courses director and founder of Oxford Open Learning Trust, said: “It seems that spelling is becoming a less essential skill - thanks to the popularity of social media and the increased use of emoticons to communicate not to mention easy access to spelling automation tools.
“Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to brush up on spelling ability through distance learning courses.
"For someone who finds they’re being held back at work or in applying for a new job, it can make all the difference.”
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