Is It Fourty or Forty? 🤔 Which Spelling Should You Use?

English can be tricky, especially when it comes to numbers. One of the most common spelling mistakes involves the number 40. Should you write “Fourty” or “Forty”? Many writers, students, and casual English users struggle with this, and even autocorrect can’t always save you.

In this guide, we’ll dive deep into why this confusion exists, the correct spelling, the historical background, practical tips, and examples to make sure you never make this mistake again.

Understanding the Confusion Between Fourty and Forty

At first glance, “Fourty” seems logical. After all, it comes from the number four. English speakers naturally think the spelling should match the base number.

However, the correct spelling is Forty—without the “u.” This often surprises learners and even native speakers. Why is the “u” dropped, and why does Fourty persist?

The answer lies in the evolution of the English language and the simplification of spelling over centuries.

The Historical Background of Forty

English is a living language that has borrowed and adapted from multiple languages over centuries. The word forty comes from Old English feowertig, which literally means “four tens.”

Over time, English spelling simplified. While four kept its “u,” forty lost it. This change is part of a broader trend called phonetic simplification, where words are spelled more closely to how they sound.

Interestingly, the spelling forty has been standard in English dictionaries for hundreds of years. Even major style guides like Merriam-Webster, Oxford English Dictionary, and Cambridge English Dictionary confirm it.

Fourty vs Forty: Spelling Breakdown

Here’s a clear comparison of the two spellings:

Spelling	Status	Notes
Forty	✅ Correct	Official spelling; recognized in dictionaries and academic texts.
Fourty	❌ Incorrect	Common mistake; influenced by logic (four + ty) but not accepted.

The reason Forty is correct is historical and phonetic. Dropping the “u” made the word easier to pronounce and write consistently.

Why “Forty” Lost Its ‘U’

The disappearance of the “u” in forty is a classic example of how English simplified its spelling over time.

Pronunciation: The word “forty” is pronounced /ˈfɔːrti/, which doesn’t emphasize the “u.”
Efficiency: English scribes in the Middle Ages often removed letters that weren’t pronounced.
Consistency: Similar words, like twenty, thirty, and sixty, follow the same pattern.

This phonetic adjustment makes spelling simpler, even if it confuses logic-minded learners.

Why “Fourty” Remains Popular

Despite being incorrect, Fourty is still widespread. Here’s why:

Logical Guess: People associate it with the number four.
Typing Habits: Autocorrect and spellcheck sometimes fail to catch this.
Informal Use: Social media, texting, and casual writing reinforce the error.

Even famous writers occasionally made this mistake in older texts, but dictionaries never recognized it as standard.

How to Remember the Correct Spelling

Here are simple tips and mnemonics to ensure you always write forty correctly:

Mnemonic: “Forty has no u, like twelve.”
Visualization: Picture 40 as “four tens” minus the extra letter.
Practice Tip: Write 10 sentences using forty every day for a week.

These small tricks help cement the correct spelling in memory.

Practical Examples in Context

Using forty correctly in sentences is easier once you see examples:

Sentence	Correct/Incorrect
I have forty apples.	✅ Correct
I have fourty apples.	❌ Incorrect
The marathon is forty miles long.	✅ Correct
She turned fourty last week.	❌ Incorrect

Tips for Using “Forty” Correctly

Spellcheck Isn’t Perfect: Always double-check if unsure.
Read Aloud: Sometimes saying the sentence helps spot mistakes.
Learn the Pattern: Notice similar numbers: twenty, thirty, fifty.
Use Mnemonics: “No u in forty” sticks better than memorizing rules.
Practice Writing: Repetition reinforces memory.

These habits can prevent embarrassing spelling mistakes in formal writing or exams.

Quick Test for Readers

Try this mini-quiz to check your knowledge:

Which is correct?
1. I bought forty/fourty books.
2. There are forty/fourty students in the class.
3. She is turning forty/fourty next month.

Answers: Forty, Forty, Forty ✅

FAQs About Forty

Is “Fourty” ever acceptable?

No. “Fourty” is always incorrect in standard English. It may appear in casual writing but is not recognized by dictionaries.

Why does English have so many spelling inconsistencies?

English borrows from multiple languages, adapts over centuries, and often simplifies spelling based on pronunciation.

How does “forty” compare with other number words?

Numbers like twenty, thirty, and sixty follow the same simplified pattern, dropping letters not pronounced.

Can mnemonic devices really help with spelling?

Yes. Simple mnemonics, like “Forty has no u,” can help reinforce correct spelling in memory.

Is “forty” spelled differently in other English-speaking countries?

No. Both American and British English use forty as the correct spelling.

Conclusion

The confusion between Fourty and Forty is common, but the rule is simple: Forty is correct.

Remember that spelling evolved over centuries, dropping the “u” for phonetic simplicity. Using mnemonics, reading aloud, and practicing in real contexts can help you avoid mistakes.

Whether you’re writing for school, work, or social media, now you can confidently spell forty every time.

Rani