Top 10 Most Commonly Miswritten Computer Terms

Date First Published: 13th January 2024

Topic: Computer Systems

Article Type: Computer Questions & Answers

Difficulty Level: 3/10

Learn about the top 10 most commonly miswritten computer terms in this article.

Over time, there have been some computer terms that are commonly miswritten. As technology advances, the terminology used may also advance. Miswriting computer terms can make emails, articles, and messages look unprofessional, which can be embarrassing at times. Below are the top 10 miswritten computer terms and how to write them properly.

1. Website

The standard spelling is "website", not "web site" and definitely not "web-site". In the 1990s, the spelling 'web site' was most commonly used, but it is now a rare variant and a space is not required. Unless it appears at the beginning of a sentence, "website" also does not need to be capitalised as it is not a proper noun.

2. Disk

"Disk" is the correct spelling when referring to computer-related objects (e.g. hard disk drive or floppy disk) and "disc" is the correct spelling when referring to devices that carry sound (e.g. compact disc, digital video disc).

3. Backup

When using the word as a noun, it should be spelt as one word (e.g. Data can be restored from a backup if it is lost or unusable). When using the word as a verb, it should be spelt as two words (e.g. Make sure to back up your files so that you can recover them in case your hard drive fails, your computer catches a virus, or you accidentally overwrite them).

4. Ebook

This term has been spelt several ways, including ebook, e-book, or eBook with a capital "e". Most publications use "ebook" or "e-book" in the same way as "email" or "e-mail" and not "eBook" as it is not a proper noun.

5. Screenshot

In the early days of computer technology, it was spelt "screen shot". Like the verb "screenshotting", "screenshot" is one lowercase word and does not require a space. Today, the spelling "screen shot" is rarely used.

6. Spam

The term "spam", referring to unsolicited and unwanted online communication sent to an individual or a large number of individuals, is one word, not an acronym or a proper noun. Also, it shouldn't be in capital letters unless you are specifically referring to the trademark of Hormel Foods.

7. E-learning

Like the term "ebook", "e-learning" has also been spelt "elearning" or "eLearning". The most common spelling is "e-learning" with the hyphen, but "elearning" without the hyphen is also used. This term is also not a proper noun, so it does not need to be capitalised unless it appears at the beginning of a sentence.

8. Login

When used as a noun that refers to authentication credentials to access a user account, it is spelt "login" (e.g. the information you use to sign in to your email is your login). When used as a verb, it is spelt "log in" (e.g. you can log in with your username and password).

9. Username

Although "user name" means the same thing, "username" as one word has become the standard spelling used in publications. Like the plural "usernames", this term also does not require a space.

10. Internet

When the internet was first introduced, it was capitalised as a proper noun. However, it has lost its capitalisation in the last few years and is often written in lowercase. Capitalising the word 'Internet' is a matter of style as it is sometimes capitalised and sometimes not. Some style guides prefer the capitalisation of words, such as 'internet' and others only capitalise it when it is the first word of a sentence. Both "internet" and "Internet" are acceptable.

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