Eighteen or Eiteen? Which Is the Correct Spelling?

The Correct Spelling

Eighteen is the only correct spelling for the number that follows seventeen.

This spelling is directly derived from “eight,” which signifies the number 8, and the suffix “-teen,” used for numbers between thirteen and nineteen.

Example: There were eighteen guests at the party.

Example: She will be eighteen years old next month.

Common Misspelling

Eiteen is a common misspelling.

This error likely occurs because some people might omit the ‘g’ from “eight” when spelling, or simply misremember the sequence of letters in the word.

Example: He mistakenly wrote that there were eiteen candles on the cake.

Why the Confusion Exists

The English language presents numerous challenges when it comes to spelling, and numbers are no exception.

English spelling rules have evolved over centuries, influenced by various languages and historical shifts in pronunciation, leading to inconsistencies.

Phonetic spelling can be misleading, as the way a word sounds does not always accurately reflect its written form.

Many words share similar letter combinations or pronunciations, creating opportunities for confusion and errors.

English has borrowed extensively from Latin, Greek, French, and Germanic languages, resulting in a complex orthography where rules can seem arbitrary.

Over time, regional dialects developed, and while standardization efforts have been made, some variations in spelling and pronunciation persist.

The formalization of dictionaries and spelling conventions in the last few centuries helped to establish correct forms, but older, less accurate spellings can linger in common usage.

• Key Point: The spelling of “eighteen” is directly tied to the spelling of the base number “eight.”
• Historical Note: The word “eight” has Old English roots, contributing to its unique spelling.

How to Remember the Correct Usage

Remembering the correct spelling of “eighteen” is straightforward once you understand its construction.

Focus on the word “eight” within “eighteen”; if you can spell “eight” correctly, you are halfway to spelling “eighteen” correctly.

Visualize the letters “e-i-g-h-t” and then add the common “-teen” suffix used for all numbers from thirteen to nineteen.

Recognize that numbers like thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, and nineteen all share the “-teen” ending, reinforcing a consistent pattern.

Break the word down: “eight” + “teen”. The core word is “eight,” which has a ‘g’ and an ‘h’ before the ‘t’.

Connect “eight” to other words that also use the “ei” digraph for the long ‘a’ sound, such as “weight” or “neighbor,” though this is a less common pattern for “ei.”

Practice writing the number out in full sentences and check your spelling regularly until it becomes automatic.

• Memory Trick: Think of “eight” having a silent ‘g’ and ‘h’ that you must remember before adding “teen.”
• Word Breakdown: The word is composed of the base number “eight” and the suffix “-teen.”

Related Words That Follow the Same Pattern

Many numbers in English follow predictable spelling patterns, which can help with remembering related words.

The numbers from thirteen to nineteen all end with the suffix “-teen,” indicating their place in the teens.

For example, “thirteen” is “thirteen,” “fourteen” is “fourteen,” and “fifteen” is “fifteen.”

This pattern continues with “sixteen,” “seventeen,” and “nineteen,” all correctly spelled with the “-teen” ending.

Understanding this consistent pattern for numbers in the teens can prevent errors with similar-sounding but incorrectly spelled numbers.

While the “-teen” suffix is highly regular, the spelling of the base numbers (three, four, five, six, seven, nine) can have their own variations or common misspellings.

The consistency of the “-teen” ending is a strong mnemonic device for all numbers from thirteen to nineteen.

The primary rule is that all numbers from 13 to 19 end with “-teen.”

Watch Out: The numbers 11 and 12 (“eleven,” “twelve”) do not follow the “-teen” pattern and have unique spellings.

Additional Example Sentences

Seeing “eighteen” used in various contexts can reinforce its correct spelling and usage.

In academic writing: The study involved eighteen participants over a six-month period.

In business communication: We anticipate an eighteen percent increase in sales by the end of the fiscal year.

In creative writing: The old house had eighteen creaky floorboards on the main staircase.

In everyday conversation: “I’ll be there in about eighteen minutes.”

In formal documents: The agreement is valid for a term of eighteen months from the date of signing.

In digital communication: Just sent you eighteen photos from the event!

The formality of the context often dictates whether a number is written as a digit or a word, but the spelling remains the same.

In most style guides, numbers under ten are written as words, while larger numbers are often written as digits, though “eighteen” is common in both forms.

Regional preferences might slightly influence the choice between digits and words, but the correct spelling of “eighteen” is universal across English-speaking regions.

• Formal Use: The contract stipulates an eighteen-week training program.
• Informal Use: “Can you believe he’s already eighteen?”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is “eiteen” ever correct?
A: No, “eiteen” is never considered a correct spelling for the number eighteen in standard English. It is a common misspelling.

Q2: Which dictionaries recognize “eighteen”?
A: All major English dictionaries, including Oxford English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, and Cambridge Dictionary, recognize “eighteen” as the correct spelling.

Q3: Will my spell-checker flag “eiteen”?
A: Yes, most standard spell-checking software will flag “eiteen” as an error and suggest “eighteen” as the correction.

Q4: How should I teach a non-native speaker to spell “eighteen”?
A: Emphasize the spelling of “eight” first, then add the “-teen” suffix. Using mnemonic devices can also be very helpful.

Q5: Has “eighteen” always been spelled this way?
A: The spelling of “eighteen” has roots in Old English (“eahtatīene”), and while spellings have evolved, the core components leading to the modern “eighteen” have been consistent.

Q6: Are there regional spelling differences for “eighteen”?
A: No, the spelling “eighteen” is standard across all major English-speaking regions, including American, British, Canadian, and Australian English.

Quick Summary

The only correct spelling for the number following seventeen is “eighteen.”

The misspelling “eiteen” is a phonetic error that omits necessary letters from the base word “eight.”

Remember to spell “eight” correctly and add the “-teen” suffix for confidence in writing this number.