Forty is the correct spelling of the number 40 in English. Fourty is a common misspelling and is not accepted in standard English. Always use forty when writing the number 40 in words.
Many people hesitate when writing the number 40 in words and ask, is it fourty or forty? The confusion is extremely common because the word looks like it should follow the spelling pattern of four. Since we write fourteen and forty sounds similar to four, many assume the correct spelling must be fourty. However, that assumption is incorrect.
Spelling numbers in English can be tricky, especially when pronunciation does not match spelling patterns perfectly. The word forty is one of the most commonly misspelled numbers in essays, exams, emails, blog posts, and professional documents. Even native English speakers sometimes make this mistake.
Understanding why forty is correct and fourty is wrong will permanently remove the confusion. In this complete guide, you will learn the correct spelling, grammar explanation, historical background, reasons for the mistake, real world usage, examples, common errors, number spelling patterns, exercises with answers, and frequently asked questions.
Fourty or Forty Quick Answer
Forty is the correct spelling.
Fourty is incorrect and should never be used in standard English.
Examples
- She is forty years old.
- The project took forty days to complete.
- There were forty students in the class.
Writing fourty in formal or academic writing is considered a spelling mistake.
Why Is It Forty and Not Fourty
The confusion between fourty or forty happens because people assume the spelling should match the base word four. However, English spelling does not always follow logical patterns.
Historical Explanation
The word forty comes from Old English forms that gradually evolved. Over time, the u in four was dropped when forming the word forty. This change became standardized in modern English.
Even though four keeps the u, forty does not. English often contains such irregular spelling patterns.
Similar Pattern Examples
- Four becomes fourteen
- Four becomes forty
- But forty drops the letter u
This irregular spelling has been standardized in dictionaries and grammar guides worldwide.
Grammar Rule Depth
Forty as a Number Word
Forty is a cardinal number that represents the quantity 40. It is used when writing numbers in words, especially in formal writing.
When to Write Forty in Words
You write forty in words when:
- Writing formal essays
- Writing checks
- Writing numbers at the beginning of sentences
- Following style guides that spell out numbers below one hundred
Examples
- Forty people attended the seminar.
- He lived there for forty years.
- The company hired forty employees.
When to Use 40 Instead of Forty
In technical or informal writing, you may use numerals:
- 40 students registered.
- The event lasted 40 minutes.
However, if you choose to spell it out, always use forty.
Why People Make the Fourty Mistake
This spelling error is extremely common. Here are the main reasons.
Logical Assumption
People think since four has a u, forty should also have one. This seems logical but is incorrect.
Pronunciation Confusion
The pronunciation of forty sounds similar to fourty. Since the sound does not clearly show spelling differences, writers guess incorrectly.
Pattern Expectation
Most number words follow predictable patterns. For example:
- Six becomes sixteen
- Seven becomes seventeen
Because of this pattern expectation, people assume four becomes fourty.
Autocorrect Issues
Sometimes typing quickly or relying on memory leads to fourty being written accidentally.
Weak Number Spelling Knowledge
Many learners memorize basic numbers but do not focus on correct spelling of compound numbers.
Fourty or Forty in Real World Usage
In Academic Writing
Incorrect: She completed fourty assignments.
Correct: She completed forty assignments.
In Business Writing
Incorrect: The company earned fourty thousand dollars.
Correct: The company earned forty thousand dollars.
In Legal Documents
Incorrect spelling in legal documents can appear unprofessional.
- The agreement is valid for forty days.
In Exams
Spelling fourty instead of forty can reduce marks in English exams.
Number Spelling Patterns in English
Understanding patterns helps avoid similar mistakes.
Numbers That Drop Letters
Forty is unique because it drops the u from four.
Correct Number Spellings
- Twenty
- Thirty
- Forty
- Fifty
- Sixty
- Seventy
- Eighty
- Ninety
Notice that forty is the only one related to four but spelled differently.
Common Mistakes and Corrections
Wrong: She is fourty years old.
Correct: She is forty years old.
Wrong: Fourty students passed the exam.
Correct: Forty students passed the exam.
Wrong: The meeting lasted fourty minutes.
Correct: The meeting lasted forty minutes.
Wrong: There were fourty chairs in the hall.
Correct: There were forty chairs in the hall.
Forty in Compound Numbers
When writing numbers between 41 and 49, forty remains the base word.
Examples:
- Forty one
- Forty two
- Forty three
- Forty four
- Forty five
- Forty six
- Forty seven
- Forty eight
- Forty nine
Never write fourty one or fourty five.
Forty vs Fourteen vs Four
These words are related but spelled differently.
- Four
- Fourteen
- Forty
Only forty drops the u. This must be memorized.
Forty in Formal Writing
In formal writing, numbers under one hundred are often written in words.
Example:
- Forty applicants were selected.
- Forty percent of participants agreed.
Using fourty in professional documents can harm credibility.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the Blanks
- She waited for ______ minutes.
Answer: forty - There were ______ students present.
Answer: forty - He turned ______ last week.
Answer: forty - The company hired ______ workers.
Answer: forty - The journey lasted ______ days.
Answer: forty
Choose the Correct Word
- (Fourty / Forty) people attended.
Answer: Forty - She is (fourty / forty) years old.
Answer: forty - The event lasted (fourty / forty) minutes.
Answer: forty - (Fourty / Forty) students passed.
Answer: Forty
Advanced Usage Examples
Financial Writing
- The investment returned forty percent profit.
- The loan must be repaid in forty installments.
Academic Research
- Forty participants completed the study.
- The experiment lasted forty weeks.
Journalism
- Forty homes were affected by the storm.
- Forty candidates applied for the position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fourty ever correct in English?
No, fourty is always incorrect. The correct spelling is forty.
Why does forty not have a u?
The spelling evolved historically and became standardized without the letter u.
Is forty spelled the same in British and American English?
Yes, both British and American English use the spelling forty.
How do you spell forty in compound numbers?
Use forty as the base word, such as forty two or forty seven.
Do spelling mistakes like fourty matter in exams?
Yes, spelling fourty instead of forty can reduce marks.
Is forty a cardinal number?
Yes, forty is a cardinal number representing the quantity 40.
Conclusion
The confusion between fourty or forty is common but easy to fix. The correct spelling is forty. The spelling fourty is incorrect and should never be used in standard English writing.
Even though the base word four contains a u, the word forty does not. This irregular spelling has historical roots and must simply be memorized. Using the correct spelling improves clarity, professionalism, and credibility in writing.
Whether you are writing an academic paper, a business document, or a simple email, always choose forty. With practice and awareness, you will never make the fourty mistake again.
James Anderson is a blogger at EchoWordss.com, dedicated to making vocabulary and synonyms simple and accessible. His insights help readers strengthen their language and communicate more effectively.
