play video schwa
Usage Notes

The Schwa

The most common vowel sound in English causes many spelling problems.


The schwa is one significant reason that English is difficult to spell. A single sound that can be spelled many different ways leads to occasional confusion for almost all of us. And even the very best spellers sometimes have to admit, I fought the schwa and the schwa won.

Up next

play video schwa
The Schwa

 

The most common vowel sound in English causes many spelling problems.

play video title words of the year 1066
Words of the Year: 1066

 

English was never the same after the Norman Conquest

play hanger-hangar-illustrations
Is It 'Hanger' or 'Hangar'?

 

How to remember which is which

play hot mess
Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

play ismo merriam webster trunk boot
Some Odd Words with ISMO: "Junk in the Trunk"

 

Comedian ISMO on what separates a boot from a trunk

play body parts video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

 

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

play video healthy vs healthful
Healthy vs. Healthful

 

Why both words are equally good for you.