Accommodate or Accomodate? The Correct Spelling Explained
Posted on 15th April by Admin
Accommodate consistently appears on lists of the most commonly misspelled words in English — and for good reason. The word contains two double letters in close succession, and it is very easy to remember one and forget the other. Whether you are writing an academic essay, a business report or a formal email, getting this word wrong is the kind of error that catches a reader’s eye immediately.
This guide covers the correct spelling, explains why the mistake is so common, and gives you a reliable memory trick to make sure you never spell it wrong again.
The Correct Spelling
The correct spelling is accommodate — with two Cs and two Ms.
Let us be very clear about what the word looks like spelled correctly:
a-c-c-o-m-m-o-d-a-t-e
The most common misspelling — accomodate (one M) — is incorrect. So is acomodate (one C and one M). The correct word has double C and double M. Both are essential.
Why Is Accommodate So Often Misspelled?
Accommodate is one of the most frequently misspelled words in English for a very specific reason: it contains two sets of double consonants — CC and MM — in close proximity, and writers typically remember one but forget the other.
The two most common errors are:
Accomodate — double C remembered, single M used instead of double M
Acomodate — single C and single M, both doubles forgotten
The word comes from the Latin accommodare, meaning to make fit or to adapt. In Latin, the double C and double M were already present — so the spelling has always required both. However, English speakers often rely on how a word sounds when spelling it, and “accommodate” does not give any strong auditory clue that either consonant is doubled.
The result is a word where the eye and ear both conspire against correct spelling, making it one of the most reliable tests of careful writing habits.
Memory Tricks to Spell It Correctly Every Time
The most effective way to remember the correct spelling of accommodate is to use a simple mnemonic that highlights both double letters. Here are three that work well:
Trick 1: Two Cots, Two Mattresses
Accommodate has enough room for two cots and two mattresses. Think of the word as literally accommodating extra letters — two Cs and two Ms. If you can picture a hotel room that accommodates two cots and two mattresses, you will never forget the double C and double M again.
Trick 2: CC and MM
Simply remember: CC before MM. The word has both double C and double M, in that order: a-cc-o-mm-o-d-a-t-e. Say it to yourself: “double C, double M” whenever you are about to write the word.
Trick 3: Break It Into Parts
Split the word into recognisable chunks: ac + com + mo + date. Each part is easy to spell on its own. Put them together and you have the full word: ac-com-mo-date. This method works particularly well for visual learners who find it easier to remember parts of a word than the whole thing at once.
What Does Accommodate Mean?
Accommodate is a versatile verb with several related meanings, all centred on the idea of fitting something or someone into a space, system or situation. The main uses are:
1. To Provide Space or Room For
The most common use — to have enough space or capacity to receive or contain something or someone.
The conference centre can accommodate up to 500 delegates.
The hotel was unable to accommodate all the guests on such short notice.
2. To Adapt or Adjust to Meet a Need
To make changes or adjustments in order to meet someone’s needs or wishes.
The university worked hard to accommodate students with disabilities.
We were happy to accommodate her request for a later deadline.
3. To Reconcile Differences
In more formal or literary usage, to accommodate can mean to bring into harmony or to reconcile conflicting positions.
The new policy was designed to accommodate the interests of both parties.
Accommodate Used in Sentences
Here are a range of example sentences showing accommodate used correctly across different contexts:
Academic Writing
The theoretical framework must be flexible enough to accommodate new empirical findings.
The study design was adjusted to accommodate the revised research questions.
The university has introduced new policies to accommodate students with mental health conditions.
Business and Professional Writing
We are pleased to accommodate your request for an extended payment period.
The new office layout was designed to accommodate a hybrid working model.
The venue can comfortably accommodate up to 200 guests for a seated dinner.
Everyday Writing
The spare room is not large enough to accommodate a double bed.
Could you accommodate an early morning start on Thursday?
The schedule has been adjusted to accommodate everyone’s preferences.
Related Words and Their Spellings
A number of related words follow the same pattern as accommodate. Getting these right requires the same attention to the double C and double M:
Accommodation (noun) — a-c-c-o-m-m-o-d-a-t-i-o-n. Again, double C and double M. We booked accommodation near the conference venue.
Accommodating (adjective) — willing to help or adjust. The staff were extremely accommodating.
Accommodated (past tense) — All guests were accommodated in en-suite rooms.
Accommodations (plural noun, more common in American English) — The accommodations were comfortable and well-appointed.
All of these follow the same spelling rule: double C before double M. If you have the base word right, the related forms follow naturally.
Other Commonly Misspelled Words
Accommodate is far from the only word that regularly trips writers up. Here are some other commonly misspelled English words that appear frequently in academic and professional writing:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it accommodate or accomodate?
The correct spelling is accommodate — with double C and double M. Accomodate (with a single M) is incorrect. This is one of the most commonly misspelled words in English, and the error almost always involves forgetting the second double letter.
How do you remember the spelling of accommodate?
The most effective memory trick is: accommodate has enough room for two Cs and two Ms. Picture the word literally accommodating extra letters. Alternatively, remember the pattern CC then MM: a-cc-o-mm-o-d-a-t-e. Both double letters come before the “-odate” ending.
How many Cs and Ms are in accommodate?
Accommodate contains two Cs (a-cc-ommodate) and two Ms (a-cco-mm-odate). Both double letters are essential to the correct spelling. Missing either one produces an incorrect spelling.
Is accommodation spelled the same way?
Yes. Accommodation follows exactly the same pattern as accommodate: double C and double M. The full spelling is a-c-c-o-m-m-o-d-a-t-i-o-n. The same memory trick applies — accommodation also has room for two Cs and two Ms.
Is accommodate a British or American English word?
Accommodate is used in both British and American English with the same spelling. Unlike some words where British and American English differ — such as programme vs program — there is no spelling variation between the two for accommodate. Both use the same double C, double M spelling.
What part of speech is accommodate?
Accommodate is a verb. It means to provide space for, to adapt to meet a need, or to reconcile differing positions. The related noun is accommodation and the adjective is accommodating.
Summary
The correct spelling is accommodate — always with double C and double M. The key points to remember are:
The correct spelling is a-c-c-o-m-m-o-d-a-t-e
The most common mistake is accomodate — single M instead of double M
Remember: two Cs, two Ms — the word accommodates both
The related noun accommodation follows the same rule
Both British and American English use the same spelling
Spelling errors like this are easy to miss in your own writing — especially when you are focused on the content of what you are writing rather than individual letters. Our professional proofreading service catches these errors before they reach your reader, ensuring your work is accurate, polished and professional every time.
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