Supersede

The verb 'to supersede' is spelled with two 's's, and no 'c': resist the temptation to write supercede. It means to replace something inferior or obsolete. Those who find etymology helpful in learning spellings may note that supersede is derived from the Latin super (~ above) and sedere or sessum (~ sit) - the same root as that of 'session', which is also spelled with an '-s-' internally and not a '-c-'.

For example, one might say that MP3s superseded compact discs, though some might disagree and say that nothing will ever replace vinyl.

This spelling error has a long history: before it came, in the 17th century, to have quite its modern meaning of 'to replace something older by a more modern equivalent', the word was commonly spelled with a '-c-'.

This page was suggested by the list of "25 of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language", in the article on "spelling" in Garner, Bryan A., The Oxford Dictionary of American Usage and Style, Oxford University Press, 2000; on line at Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press, under licence to Hull University. 18 July 2006. <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t26.e2017>. Although the list claims "25 of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language", it may reflect the American language of the book rather than AWE's experience of English teaching in Britain. Users of AWE may find more use in our categories spelling and spelling common errors.

AWE shares the confidence of the original article: "Naturally, [the commonly misspelled words] are spelled correctly here".