Forty vs. Fourty: Understanding the Correct Spelling

Are you often confused about whether to write “forty” or “fourty”? Many English learners struggle with this common spelling dilemma. Understanding the difference between these two words is crucial for clear and effective communication.

The Main Difference between Forty and Fourty

Forty vs. Fourty: Key Takeaways

• Forty is the only correct spelling for the number 40 in English.
• Fourty is a common misspelling and is not accepted in standard English.

Forty vs. Fourty: The Definition

What Does Forty Mean?

Forty is the number that comes after thirty-nine and before forty-one. It is the natural number following 39 and preceding 41. In English, it is spelled as “forty.” It is commonly used in various contexts such as counting, age, time, and numerical operations. For example, “forty years old,” “forty minutes,” or “forty multiplied by two equals eighty.”

• Correct example: She lived in Paris for forty years.

What Does Fourty Mean?

Fourty, with the inclusion of the letter ‘u’, does not mean anything in English, as it is simply a misspelling of the correct term.

• Incorrect example: She lived in Paris for fourty years.

Tips to Remember the Differences

• Think of four without the ‘u’ for the spelling of forty.
• There are four letters in the word forty.

Forty vs. Fourty: Examples

Example 1

• Correct: You need to collect forty seashells for the art project.
• Incorrect: You need to collect fourty seashells for the art project.

Example 2:

• Correct: She celebrated her forty-year career with a grand party.
• Incorrect: She celebrated her fourty-year career with a grand party.

Example 3:

• Correct: There are forty students in the classroom, making it a full and bustling learning environment.
• Incorrect: There are fourty students in the classroom, making it a full and bustling learning environment.

Example 4:

• Correct: The temperature soared to a scorching forty degrees Celsius during the heatwave.
• Incorrect: The temperature soared to a scorching fourty degrees Celsius during the heatwave.

Example 5:

• Correct: She completed the race in just under forty minutes, achieving a personal best.
• Incorrect: She completed the race in just under fourty minutes, achieving a personal best.

Example 6:

• Correct: The historical site dates back over forty years and holds significant cultural importance.
• Incorrect: The historical site dates back over fourty years and holds significant cultural importance.

Example 7:

• Correct: The recipe calls for forty grams of sugar to achieve the perfect balance of sweetness.
• Incorrect: The recipe calls for fourty grams of sugar to achieve the perfect balance of sweetness.

Example 8:

• Correct: The bus was delayed by over forty minutes due to heavy traffic on the highway.
• Incorrect: The bus was delayed by over fourty minutes due to heavy traffic on the highway.

Related Confused Words

Forty vs. Fourteen

“Forty” and “fourteen” differ in their numerical value, with “forty” representing the number 40 and “fourteen” representing the number 14.

Forty

• “Forty” is the number 40, written in numerical form. It comes after thirty-nine and before forty-one.
• It is used to denote a quantity of 40 items or to represent the age of 40 years.
• In the decimal system, “forty” is comprised of the digit 4 followed by the digit 0.

Fourteen

• “Fourteen” is the number 14, written in numerical form. It comes after thirteen and before fifteen.
• It is used to denote a quantity of 14 items or to represent the age of 14 years.
• In the decimal system, “fourteen” is comprised of the digit 1 followed by the digit 4.

Forty vs. Forth

“Forty” and “forth” are distinct words with different meanings and functions in the English language:

Forty

• “Forty” is a numerical value representing the number 40 in written form. It is used to denote a quantity of 40 items or to represent the age of 40 years. In the decimal system, “forty” is comprised of the digit 4 followed by the digit 0.

Forth

• “Forth” is an adverb that denotes forward movement or onward progress. It is used to indicate the direction of movement or the continuation of an action in a forward manner. For example, “He stepped forth to address the audience.”

Related:

• 12 A.M vs. 12 P.M