Note 172 – Is the spelling installment or instalment?

Whenever I type this word, I struggle to remember if it is spelt instalment or installment.  Today, I got caught out by someone reviewing one of my other blogs (which inspired me to write today’s blog), so as usual I went looking for explanations. 

Wiki Answers explains that installment and instalment both mean the same, but installment (with a double ‘l’) is the American spelling and instalment (with one ‘l’) is the spelling for the UK, Canada and other English speaking countries.  The online Cambridge Dictionary also notes that the US (United States) spell it as installment.   

My thoughts:  I don’t think I’ll be getting this one wrong from now on – I will be spelling it as instalment (with one ‘l’).  I apologise to all my American readers!

This blog post forms part of my writing challenge. Don’t forget that you can subscribe to receive my daily blogs by email so that you don’t miss any. Just click ‘sign me up’ on the home page. Alternatively you can follow my blogs on Twitter or my ‘Tips and Luxuries‘ Facebook page. Requests for future blogs (punctuation/grammar/writing tips) are always welcome.

Until tomorrow…

Sandra
Freelance writer
Please visit www.sandramadeira.com for more information on my services as a freelance writer.

My writing challenge

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Sandra’s blog
My OpenLeaf Journey

My Tips and Luxuries website
(includes the introduction to my upcoming book ‘A Gift for Stressed and Busy Parents’)

Twitter: @madeirasandra @tipsandluxuries @OpenLeafJourney

Reference list:

Cambridge online dictionary: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/instalment?q=instalment

Wiki Answers: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_instalment_and_installment