The correct spelling
Most lecturers expect your assignment to be written in New Zealand English rather than British or American English. Some lecturers insist on consistency, so the assignment is either all New Zealand spelling, or all British or all American spelling.
To avoid spelling errors, set your computer's spell-checker to the correct version of English, or check a good dictionary. You may need to change the dictionary setting to New Zealand English in your word processing software.
Add or edit words in a Microsoft spell check dictionary
Spelling differences
New Zealand and British English are very similar, but New Zealand English includes common Māori words.
-our versus -or
-our versus -or Most words ending in '-our' in New Zealand English are spelt '-or' in American English.
| New Zealand | American |
|---|---|
| colour | color |
| flavour | flavor |
| labour | labor |
| rumour | rumor |
| behaviour | behavior |
| favourite | favorite |
-re versus -er
-re versus -er Words ending in '-re' in New Zealand English are usually written '-er' in American English.
| New Zealand | American |
|---|---|
| centre | center |
| metre | meter |
| litre | liter |
| theatre | theater |
| fibre | fiber |
-ise versus -ize
-ise versus -ize For many verbs that end in '-se' or '-ize', New Zealand spelling most commonly use '-ise', whereas American spelling uses '-ize'.
Some British spelling sources, such as the Oxford English Dictionary, also prefer '-ize'.
| New Zealand | American |
|---|---|
| specialise | specialize |
| realise | realize |
| equalise | equalize |
| recognise | recognize |
| organise | organize |
-ogue versus -og
-ogue versus -og Most words spelt '-ogue' in New Zealand English are spelt '-og' in American English.
| New Zealand | American |
|---|---|
| analogue | analog |
| catalogue | catalog |
| dialogue | dialog |
-ll versus -l-
-ll versus -l- When adding a suffix, such as -ed, -er, -ing, to some words ending with l, the l is doubled in New Zealand spelling, whereas American spelling does not.
| New Zealand | American |
|---|---|
| travelled | traveled |
| counsellor | counselor |
| cruellest | cruelest |
Other words
Other words Some other common words are also spelt differently.
| New Zealand (and British) | American |
|---|---|
| programme | program* |
| bank cheque | bank check |
| defence | defense |
| speciality | specialty |
| aluminium | aluminum |
| sceptic | skeptic |
*In British English, program is used for computer software, but programme for other meanings.
Spelling rules and tips
The -able -ible suffix rule
-able
-able
Complete words
Usually, if the root word is a complete word, such as fashion, it ends in 'able', becoming 'fashionable'. For example:
- Laughable
- Comfortable
- Dependable
- Breakable
Words ending in 'y'
Change the 'y' to an 'i'. For example:
- Reliable
- Justifiable
-ible
-ible
Incomplete words
Usually, if the root word is not a complete word, it ends in ‘ible’, such as possible. For example:
- Horrible
- Terrible
- Edible
- Incredible
- Flexible
- Invisible
Complete words ending in 't'
Usually, if the root word is complete and ends in 't', add 'ible'. For example:
- Corruptible
- Contemptible
- Destructible
Words ending in 'e'
Words ending in 'e'
Usually, if the root word ends in an 'e', such as 'advise', remove the 'e' and add 'able' or 'ible', to make the word 'advisable'.
For example:
- Valuable
- Debatable
- Desirable
- Collapsible
- Defensible
- Responsible
Some exceptions
There are always exceptions in the English language. For example:
- Likeable
- Sizeable
- Nameable
The 'i' before 'e' except after 'c' (not-really-true) rule
You may have heard of the ‘i before e except after c’ rule. Unfortunately, this rule has so many exceptions that it is not very helpful.
A variation of this rule: ‘i before e except after c or when sounded as ‘a’ as in neighbour and weigh’ is a little more accurate, but there are still exceptions.
For example, conceive, receipt, ceiling, species, seize, weigh and weird.
Merriam-Webster offers a much longer but more accurate rhyme, noting that because English developed from many different sources, there are still exceptions!
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