Have you ever written something and wondered if the spelling was right? It happens to the best of us. Just like with the words “quarterly” and “quaterly.” Let’s sort out which one is correct.
The correct spelling is quarterly, not “quaterly.” Quarterly means something that occurs every three months. For example, a magazine might be published quarterly, meaning it comes out four times a year.
If you write or say “quaterly,” others may be confused or might not understand you. Always use quarterly to communicate clearly and maintain professionalism in your writing or speaking about events or publications that happen four times a year.
Understanding the Basics
English can be tricky with its many words that sound alike but are spelled differently—or worse, words that look correct at a glance because we so often see them misspelled! That’s the case with “quaterly” and “quarterly.”
Think of how a cook manages kitchen supplies. If they check their stock four times a year, they do it quarterly. Notice the word ‘quarter’ in there, like a quarter of a year? It’s a small clue that helps remind us how to spell it.
Which One is Correct?
The correct spelling for every four months is quarterly
“Quarterly” is derived from the word “quarter,” meaning a fourth part, particularly in the context of time. The term is commonly used in business, finance, and other areas to describe something that happens four times a year, or every three months. There is no word “quaterly” in English; it’s simply a common misspelling.
Examples of Usage
Seeing real-life examples can help clarify how “quarterly” should be used in a sentence. Here are a few:
- The company publishes a quarterly newsletter.
- Our team holds quarterly reviews to assess progress.
- Investors look forward to the CEO’s quarterly report on earnings.
Why Do People Misspell ‘Quarterly’?
It’s easy to get trippy over spelling. Maybe when trying to write “quarterly,” people think of “later,” which sounds a bit similar but has no ‘u’ after ‘q’. Since ‘quarterly’ isn’t a word you write every day, the correct spelling might slip your mind.
Imagine you are drawing a pie chart and you divide it into four equal parts. Each part is a quarter—this image could help you remember the ‘u’ after the ‘q’ in “quarterly.”
Spelling Tips and Tricks
Let’s look at a simple way to keep “quarterly” from losing that crucial ‘u’. Just remember this sentence: “We earn our pie every quarter.” Just like you need the ‘u’ for “our”, you need it for “quarter.”
Another tip is to think about the word “quarter” itself. You know it’s spelled with a ‘u’, right? Since “quarterly” comes from “quarter,” it keeps the ‘u’ as well.
Conclusion
Spellings can be sneaky but remembering the right one isn’t magic. It’s about making connections that stick in your memory.
Next time when you’re writing about something that happens every three months, push the word “quaterly” out of your mind. Stick with “quarterly,” and you’ll be right every time. Why not put these tips and tricks into practice? You might find it easier than you think to remember how to spell “quarterly” correctly.
Whether you are writing an email, a report, or even a social media post, using the correct spelling shows that you pay attention to details. So, always double-check you’ve got it right, and keep up the good work!
