Most English words are spelled one way, standardised throughout the world. However, some words vary in their spelling (eg between Australian and British usage). You will need to pay careful attention to these words and decide how they will be spelled in your text.

Being aware of words to look out for, and following some general spelling tips and guidelines, will help you to make sure your text is spelled correctly and consistently.

This section covers:

• Spelling tips and guidelines
• Simple word endings
• More complex word endings
• Common 2-letter combinations
• Accented characters
• Comparison of Australian, American and British spelling conventions.

Take care with words that have similar spellings but different meanings (eg averse/adverse, discrete/discreet, hyperthermia/hypothermia). See Terms to watch out for for commonly confused words.