Spelling errors are one of my all-time peeves. Why? Because in a matter of seconds, you can refer to a dictionary to see if you are spelling a word correctly. I believe that taking the time to double-check a word's correct spelling not only evidences a writer's respect for his/her readers, but also for him/her self. It shows that you take pride in your work product, are detail-oriented, and strive to make the best possible impression at all times.
I use Dictionary.com regularly, in addition to Thesaurus.com, but am guilty of spelling infractions from time to time, especially when two words that sound the same have different spellings and my spell-checker does not comprehend the difference.
Among the misspellings that drive me nuts are:
* Loose instead of lose. I see this error all the time! Here's a good way to remember the distinction between the two words: You can place loose change in your pocket, but on the whole, if the pocket has a hole, you might lose all of the coins.
* Wierd instead of weird.
* Ackward instead of awkward.
* A costumed instead of accustomed.
* Invision instead of envision.
* Somewheres or anywheres instead of somewhere or anywhere.
* Harrass instead of harass.
* Here instead of hear.
* Past away instead of passed away (which is a phrase I detest and never use, so this error makes me doubly cranky.)
According to Business Grammar, Style & Usage: The Desk Reference for Articulate and polished Business Writing, Speaking & Correspondence, by Alicia Abell, the 30 words most often misspelled are:
* accessible
* accommodate
* acquaintance
* adviser
* bankruptcy
* calendar
* chargeable
* committee
* conscious
* consensus
* embarrass
* exaggerate
* feasible
* homemade
* indispensable
* judgment
* liaison
* manageable
* maneuver
* millennium
* necessary
* emission
* privilege
* recommend
* referral
* separate
* sizable
* suspicious
* tendency
* toward (not towards)
http://www.jhsiess.com/2007/10/14/most-common-spelling-errors/
http://www.take2max.com/writing/2007/10/14/the-most-common-spelling-errors/
Source: www.articlesbase.com
