How to Spell Missed

  • Eseandre Mordi

  • 26 Feb 2024

This article serves as a comprehensive guide on accurately spelling the term "missed," its correct usage, and tips to remember its spelling. Whether you're drafting an email, writing an essay, or simply curious, mastering the spelling of commonly miswritten words like "missed" can immensely improve your writing skills.

Correct Spelling of Missed

The correct spelling of the term in question is missed. It is crucial to emphasize that the word contains a double 's' followed by the suffix '-ed' to denote the past tense of the verb 'miss'. This construction is common in English for forming the past simple and past participle forms of regular verbs. Ensure the double 's' is included to avoid common misspellings.

How to Remember the Correct Spelling

A straightforward technique to remember missed's spelling is by breaking it down into its base verb "miss" plus the past tense suffix "-ed." Also, think of the "ss" in "miss" as needing a buddy to go past (past tense), hence the double 's' before adding "-ed."

Common Spelling Mistakes

  • Mised - A common error arises from omitting the crucial second 's', making the spelling incorrect.
  • Misst - This mistake happens when 't' is mistakenly used instead of 'ed', disregarding the proper past tense formation in English.

These errors typically occur due to a misunderstanding of verb conjugation rules in English or a simple typographical error.

Definition and Etymology of Missed

The term missed is the past tense and past participle of the verb 'miss.' It means to fail to hit, reach, catch, or otherwise make contact with something. It also can mean to feel the absence of someone or something or to fail to attend. The word "miss" originates from the Old English word "missan," meaning 'fail to hit' or 'to go wrong,' showing a long history of usage in the English language.

Transcription of Missed

The transcription for missed is /mɪst/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The 'i' in missed is pronounced with a short i sound, as in "sit," and the 'ed' ending sounds like 't', making it sound as one syllable, which is crucial for proper pronunciation.

Examples of Using Missed

  • I missed the bus this morning and had to walk to work.
  • She missed the target in the archery competition.
  • He really missed the point of the story.
  • We missed you at the party last night!
  • They missed the opportunity to invest early.

FAQ

What does the word mean? 
It refers to the act of failing to hit, reach, or make contact with something, feeling the absence of someone, or failing to attend an event.

Words Closely Related: miss, missing, misses.

Synonyms: overlook, omit, bypass.

Difference in American and British Versions

For the word missed, there is no difference between American and British English in spelling or usage. Both varieties of English use a double 's' and the '-ed' suffix to form the past tense and past participle of the verb 'miss.' This consistency simplifies learning and using the term across different English-speaking regions.

Academic Dictionaries

  1. Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
  2. Oxford English Dictionary.
  3. Cambridge Dictionary.


#Grammar #Spelling #CommonMistakes #EnglishLearning #VerbConjugation

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