Confusing Words

Spelled vs. Spelt

In the English language, the word spell is a verb and has a meaning to write or name letters from which a word has been formed. These two words spelled and spelt, both are the forms of the past tense and the past participle tense of word ‘spell’. The words spelled and spelt, are different due to the geographical differences. In American English, the past and the past participle tense of the word ‘spell’ is accepted as spelled whereas in British English, we  can use both the words, spelled and spelt, for the past and the past participle tense of the word ‘spell’. In this article, we will talk about the difference between these two words, i.e., Spelled vs. Spelt.

In America, the word ‘spelt’ is a noun and is referred to as a kind of wheat grain. It is grown mostly in European countries. When we use word spelled as a noun, its meaning is relieved someone temporarily from the work. This meaning of the word ‘spelled’ is very common in America but outside America, this meaning of the word ‘spelled’ is rarely used.

For example, ‘We spelled him out as he is not fit to play the cricket’. Another meaning of the word spelled as a noun is spent a short period. For example, ‘He spelled out his job as a doctor in the cardiac department also’.  So have patience, we will discuss further in the rest of the article about the differences between Spelled vs. Spelt with more examples.

Spelled vs. Spelt

                                                                                                    Spelled vs. Spelt

Difference Between Spelled and Spelt

The word spelt, as mentioned, you can use as a noun and as a verb, whereas word spelled is used as a verb only. For example, ‘you have spelled my name wrong’ or ‘you have spelt my name wrong’. The word spelt meaning as a noun is a type of wheat grain in America and it is grown in some European countries. For example, ‘how many tons of spelt are you expecting to produce this year?’ The Americans use the word spelt as a noun; therefore they use the word spelled for the past and the past participle tense of the word spell. As a verb, the words spelled and spelt are used all over the world.

For example, ‘poem spelled out in the auditorium and all the audiences were kept silent’ or ‘in a writing job, specifications should be clearly spelled out’. Although there are no distinct differences seen in the use of both the forms (spelt and spelled) in British history, the word ‘spelt’ was more commonly preferred than ‘spelled’.

On the other hand, word spelt is used in the noun form as well as the past and the past participle tense of the word spell. For example, ‘the cultivation of spelt is being done in Europe and this fact is spelled out in the books’. Here, you can see the use of both the words, spelt and spelled. In the above example, we are using the word spelt as a noun and the word spelled as a verb.

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How to Use spelled?

As a verb:

  1. Incorrect: The government spelt out new health insurance for cancer patients

Correct: The government spelled out new health insurance for cancer patients.

  1. Incorrect: You spelt my name wrong.

Correct: You spelled my name wrong.

  1. Incorrect: You should have spelt it correctly.

Correct: You should have spelled it correctly.

How to Use Spelt?

As a noun:

  1. Incorrect: Spelled is a type of wheat grain.

Correct: Spelt is a type of wheat grain.

  1. Incorrect: Spelled is a good source of carbohydrates and fibres which reduces the risk of obesity and heart diseases.

Correct: Spelt is a good source of carbohydrates and fibres which reduces the risk of obesity and heart diseases.

  1. Incorrect: Earlier the cultivation of spelled was prominent in south-east Asia and Australia.

Correct: Earlier the cultivation of spelt was prominent in south-east Asia and Australia.

As a verb:

  1. Incorrect: He spelled out little letters on his sister’s birthday.

Correct: He spelt out little letters on his sister’s birthday.

  1. Incorrect: Even though the performance of the captain was good, he was spelled out from the team.

Correct: Even though the performance of the captain was good, he was spelt out from the team

Examples of SPELLED – Using SPELLED in a Sentence

  1. Some words are spelled in the same manner but have different meanings.
  2. Teacher spelled out the spelling mistakes of a student in the class.
  3. For the sake of clarity, the teacher spelled the word slowly.
  4. She painfully spelled out the message of her sister’s sad demise.

Examples of SPELT – Using SPELT in a Sentence

  1. The Governor spelt a dictation to his aide.
  2. Soybeans, corn and spelt are a good source of healthy foods.
  3. The Europeans are trying to promote the spelt cultivation.
  4. Mohan’s letters spelt a rather rude word.
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