Have you ever paused while writing the number 40 in words and wondered—should it be fourty or forty? You’re not alone. Millions of people stumble over this common spelling confusion every day.
In this article, we’ll explore the correct spelling, why the mistake happens, and practical tips to remember it forever.
Quick Answer
The correct spelling is “forty.”
Despite the natural association with the number “four,” the English language dropped the “u” centuries ago. Meanwhile, “fourty” is a common misspelling that continues to appear in informal writing, social media posts, and even in some educational materials.
Knowing the proper form isn’t just about correctness—it also helps you write with confidence in essays, emails, professional documents, and creative works.
Understanding the Confusion
Many writers struggle with forty vs fourty because it seems intuitive to add the “u” after “four.” After all, four is spelled with a u, so why not fourty?
Here’s why the confusion persists:
- Phonetic similarity: “Forty” sounds like “four-ty,” so our brains want to spell it consistently with “four.”
- Visual association: People often visualize numbers and connect them to familiar words.
- Autocorrect and typing errors: Some digital tools may even suggest “fourty” incorrectly.
Despite these influences, the rules of English spelling and historical development make forty the only correct form today.
Historical Origins of the Word
Understanding why “forty” is correct requires a brief look at history. The word forty comes from Middle English and Old English, originally spelled as feowertig, which literally meant “four tens.”
Over time, English underwent phonetic simplification, and letters that weren’t pronounced began to drop. This is why the “u” disappeared in forty.
Key historical facts:
- Old English: feowertig
- Middle English: fourty (occasionally seen in manuscripts)
- Modern English: forty (standardized in dictionaries by the 18th century)
Spelling Variants: Fourty vs. Forty
Even today, you’ll find people writing fourty. Let’s break it down clearly:
| Spelling | Correctness | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forty | ✅ Correct | Middle/Modern English | Standard in all formal writing |
| Fourty | ❌ Incorrect | Common misspelling | Intuitive but wrong; not accepted in dictionaries |
While fourty is incorrect, its frequent appearance shows how strong the instinct to add the “u” is.
Linguistic and Phonetic Explanation
Why did English remove the “u” from forty while keeping it in four?
The answer lies in phonetic simplification:
- Early English spelling was inconsistent, often representing sounds rather than fixed rules.
- Words like forty simplified over time to match pronunciation.
- This change made writing more efficient and easier to read.
Other examples of phonetic simplification in English:
- Gone instead of gonne
- Light instead of liht
- Knight instead of cniht
Essentially, English sometimes prioritizes sound over visual consistency. That’s why forty lost its “u.”
Why “Fourty” is So Common
Despite the historical and linguistic explanation, fourty remains widespread. Here’s why:
- Cognitive bias: Our brain tries to connect the word to the familiar “four.”
- Informal writing: Social media, texting, and blogs often propagate the error.
- Typing errors: People type what they hear instead of what is correct.
- Education gaps: Some students never learn the correct spelling properly.
Interesting fact: Surveys indicate that up to 30% of people type “fourty” at least once in their lives.
Side-by-Side Comparison
To make it crystal clear, here’s a quick table comparing the two spellings:
| Feature | Forty | Fourty |
|---|---|---|
| Correctness | ✅ Correct | ❌ Incorrect |
| Pronunciation | /ˈfɔːrti/ | /ˈfɔːrti/ |
| Historical Origin | Old English “feowertig” | Misguided analogy with “four” |
| Usage | Formal, informal, professional | Informal only, often wrong |
| Memory Tip | “No u in forty” | Avoid entirely |
Practical Examples in Sentences
Knowing the spelling is one thing—using it correctly in context is another.
Correct Usage:
- She just turned forty yesterday.
- The marathon is forty miles long.
- Our team scored forty points in the game.
- He counted forty books on the shelf.
Incorrect Usage to Avoid:
- She just turned fourty yesterday. ❌
- The marathon is fourty miles long. ❌
- Our team scored fourty points in the game. ❌
Tip: Reading sentences aloud helps your brain recognize correct spelling naturally.
Tips to Remember the Correct Spelling
Here are some easy ways to memorize forty:
- Mnemonic trick: “Forty has no u, just like the U in four disappears in forty.”
- Visual association: Imagine writing 40 and seeing the “u” disappear.
- Repetition: Write sentences using forty daily.
- Highlight common mistakes: Keep a note of “fourty” errors you encounter.
Pro tip: Many people remember it best by linking it with numbers and counting: four tens = forty.
Practice Mini-Quiz
Try these sentences—choose the correct spelling:
- She has ____ apples in her basket.
- a) Forty ✅
- b) Fourty ❌
- The exam lasted for ____ minutes.
- a) Forty ✅
- b) Fourty ❌
- He is turning ____ next year.
- a) Forty ✅
- b) Fourty ❌
Answers: All correct options are forty.
Related Language Insights
English has several tricky numbers with spelling patterns:
| Number | Correct | Common Mistake | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Twenty | Twentee | “y” often misheard as “ee” |
| 30 | Thirty | Thirthy | Common typo based on pronunciation |
| 40 | Forty | Fourty | Dropped “u” historically |
| 70 | Seventy | Seveny | “v” preserved but confusing |
Observation: English is full of historical quirks. Learning the logic behind changes makes spelling easier.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is “fourty” ever correct?
No. Fourty is always considered a misspelling. Dictionaries and style guides only accept forty.
How do I teach kids the correct spelling?
Use mnemonics and repetition: link forty to four tens, write sentences, and correct mistakes gently.
Why did English drop the “u” in forty?
Phonetic simplification. The word’s pronunciation didn’t require the “u,” so it disappeared over centuries.
Are there other English words that lose letters like forty?
Yes. Words like light (Old English “liht”) or knight (Old English “cniht”) also dropped letters for phonetic efficiency.
How can I avoid making this mistake in professional writing?
Always double-check spelling, use online tools or style guides, and read your text aloud. Repetition and mnemonics help internalize correct forms.
Conclusion
In the forty vs fourty debate, there’s no ambiguity: forty is correct, and fourty is wrong. Understanding the historical, phonetic, and linguistic reasons behind the spelling can help you write confidently and accurately.
Remember these simple strategies:
- Link forty to four tens.
- Practice writing it correctly in sentences.
- Avoid “fourty” entirely in formal contexts.
By internalizing the rules and examples shared here, you’ll never hesitate when writing 40 in words again.
