AEE 2483: Two L's or One? How to Ask About Spelling in English

Summary

---

All Ears English Podcast - Episode 2483: Two L's or One? How to Ask About Spelling in English

Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Date: September 23, 2025

---

Episode Overview

Main Theme:
Today’s episode explores how both native and non-native English speakers get tripped up by word spellings—especially those with variable or confusing rules—and, most importantly, how to confidently and naturally ask about correct spelling in conversation. Lindsay and Michelle break down common spelling dilemmas (like "donut" vs. "doughnut" or "canceled" vs. "cancelled") and demonstrate practical phrases ESL learners (and anyone!) can use to clarify and connect.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Spelling Struggles Are Universal

• Both Lindsay and Michelle admit they occasionally question their spelling, especially with tricky letter combinations.
  • “I consider myself a pretty good speller, but honestly, sometimes I write it and then I think, is that right? Or was it I-E-E or an E-I is where I struggle sometimes." — Lindsay (02:18)
• Native speakers aren't immune. Confusion around spelling is common and nothing to be embarrassed about; it's an opportunity for connection.

2. Survey Fun: Too Hot or Too Cold?

• The episode briefly highlights audience engagement with a Spotify poll (episode 2448). The poll asked, "Would you rather be too hot or too cold?"
  • 38% chose "too hot”; 61% chose "too cold."
  • “I just feel like being too cold feels almost dangerous.” — Lindsay (05:02)
• The hosts reflect on how preferences might shift seasonally and geographically—a quick, friendly tangent to show how everyday topics foster connection.

3. Commonly Confused Spellings

Lindsay and Michelle discuss several words where English spelling can trip up learners and speakers alike:

• Donut vs. Doughnut (06:24 onward)

  • Both are correct; "donut" (D-O-N-U-T) is more common in American branding and informal usage, while "doughnut" (D-O-U-G-H-N-U-T) is old-fashioned or used elsewhere.
  • “D-O-N-U-T is what we've seen more frequently now. D-O-U-G-H-N-U-T feels a little more old-fashioned.” — Michelle (07:10)

• Canceled vs. Cancelled; Traveled vs. Travelled (07:54-09:13)

  • American English tends to use one "L," British English prefers two ("cancelled," "travelled").
  • Both widely recognized; choose based on context or preference.
  • “No one really knows. It's true. That makes me feel better... spelling isn't necessarily a measure of competence.” — Lindsay (09:13)

• A Lot (Spacing) (11:41)

  • Always write as two words ("a lot").
  • “Once you know it, you know it and you don't forget it.” — Lindsay (12:10)

• Email (with or without a dash) (12:44)

  • Once commonly spelled "e-mail," now standard as "email." Either is generally understood.
  • “Apparently you're right. It was with a dash and then over time it did change to no dash.” — Michelle (13:05)

4. Why Spelling Questions Matter for Connection

• Asking for clarification on spelling is a small, relatable vulnerability that builds rapport and provides a chance for positive, collaborative interaction.
• The "connection moment" is at the heart of the All Ears English philosophy: language is about making meaningful connections, not flawless execution.

5. Useful Questions and Phrases for Clarifying Spelling (14:22)

The hosts model natural ways to ask about spelling:

• Does _____ have a _____?
  • Example: “Does ‘canceled’ have one L or two?” (15:48)
  • “Whenever I meet someone who has my name, it's always ‘one L or two?’ Every single time.” — Michelle (16:09)
• Is there an X in Y?
  • Example: “Is there a ‘G’ in ‘donut’ or no?” (15:05)
• How many X's are in that?
  • “How many L's are in ‘canceled’?”
• X or Y?
  • “D-O-N-U-T or D-O-U-G-H-N-U-T?”
• Or simply spelling out the options or using the debated part:
  • “N-U-T or O-U-G-H?”

6. Practical Demonstration: Dialog Example

The hosts role-play a typical collaborative scenario (17:43-19:47):

• Michelle and Lindsay pretend to write a sign about free donuts, naturally querying spellings:
  • “D-O-N-U-T or D-O-U-G-H-N-U-T?”
  • “Does email have a dash?”
  • “Is there a space in ‘a lot’ or no?”
  • “Two L's or one in ‘canceled’?”
• This sequence emphasizes how these questions appear in real life, especially in teamwork, texting, or project settings.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On shared struggles:
  “That makes me feel better, right? Spelling isn't necessarily a measure of competence... we try to get it right as much as we can.” — Lindsay (09:13)

• On ‘a lot’:
  “Once you know it, you know it and you don’t forget it.” — Lindsay (12:10)

• On names as a connection point:
  “It's always ‘one L or two?’ Every single time I meet another Michelle; that never doesn't happen.” — Michelle (16:09)

• The joy of ‘connection, not perfection’:
  “These are just really good ways to connect. Don't be afraid to ask. And yeah, it's kind of fun.” — Michelle (20:14)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:18] — Lindsay and Michelle share their own spelling struggles
• [04:43] — Spotify poll results and reflections
• [06:24] — Discussion of “donut” vs. “doughnut”
• [07:54] — “Canceled”/“cancelled” and “traveled”/“travelled” explained
• [11:41] — The correct way to write “a lot”
• [12:44] — The evolution of the word “email”
• [14:22-17:26] — Natural phrases for asking about spelling dilemmas
• [17:43-19:47] — Practical role-play (collaborative sign-making)
• [19:57] — Final takeaways: Spelling questions as a universal and connective experience

---

Takeaway & Closing Thoughts

• Asking about spelling is not a sign of weakness or incompetence—it's a universal experience and an excellent chance for connection.
• Using these natural questions makes English communication smoother and creates learning opportunities for everyone involved.
• Connection, not perfection continues to be at the heart of building real English fluency.

---

Final Message

If you find yourself hesitating about spelling, remember: even native speakers double-check and ask! Use it as an excuse to have a friendly, collaborative moment—embrace the connection while honing your language skills.

---

“These are just really good ways to connect. Don’t be afraid to ask... it’s kind of fun.” — Michelle (20:14)

---

Transcript

[A]

This is an All Ears English podcast. Episode 2483. Two L's or one how to ask about spelling in English. Welcome to the All Ears English podcast. Downloaded more than 200 million times. Are you feeling stuck with your English? We'll show you how to become fearless and fluent by focusing on connection, not perfection, with your American hosts.

[B]

Listen.

[A]

Lindsey McMahon, the English adventurer, and Michelle Kaplan, the New York radio girl, coming to you from Colorado and New York City, usa. To get real time transcripts right on your phone and create your personalized vocabulary list, try the Allears English app for iOS and Android. Start your seven day free [e-mail] app.

[B]

Do. Do you ever wonder if you're spelling something correctly today? Get the connection skill to ask how to spell commonly confused words in English. Language isn't just about grammar and words. It's about how people see you. Maybe in your own language, you're funny, bold, outspoken. But in English, you hold back. You sound quieter, more serious, not quite yourself. That's not about skill. That's about identity. And you don't have to leave your real personality behind when you switch to English. Want to see what's keeping your confidence stuck and holding you back from connection? Take our quick 2 minute level test at allearsenglish.com fluency score again. Go to allearsenglish.comfs l u e N C Y S C O R E hey, Lindsay, how are you?

[A]

I'm doing good. Michelle, how are you? How's everything going?

[B]

I'm doing well. I'm doing well. Oh, man. Lindsay, though, do you ever get tripped up with spelling?

[A]

I do. I mean, I consider myself a pretty good speller, but honestly, sometimes I write it and then I think, is that right? Or was it I EE or an EI is where I struggle sometimes.

[B]

Yes. Oh, yeah, that. Yep, exactly. So, yeah, this is. This is not just a language learning thing. I think native speakers get tripped up a lot with certain words all the time. Really?

[A]

Oh, for sure. All the time. So what we need to do is know how to talk about that. Right. Because that is where the connection is. This is what we like to do on this show is we take any common thing in the world and we figure out where is the connection moment in that situation. And this is it. It's talking about your spelling challenges, right?

[B]

Yes, that's what I'm checking on. How to spell. Yep, absolutely. So this is gonna be really fun. So, guys, make sure you're hitting F. Make sure you hit follow wherever you listen to the All Ears English podcast. Don't miss anything from us. Just hit that follow button if you haven't already.

[A]

Exactly. And even if you want to watch this podcast on video, we are right here on camera over on YouTube. That's another option, depending on how you like. So if you want to go over there, you can search for Allers English and hit subscribe. So we have many ways to consume the show, depending on our lifestyle and how we like to learn.

[B]

All right. Absolutely. Incredible. So before we get into it a little more, we have some poll results from Spotify. Guys, we love to do these Spotify polls. We do them for every episode, really. But on some of them, they're the special ones where we're going to read the results out loud. And it's just a really great way to interact with everyone. So, Lindsay, what was the episode for this poll?

[A]

This was from episode 2448, weird and wonky weather in English. Love the double alliteration there. Yeah, alliteration, I guess.

[B]

Yes. Fantastic. And the, the poll question was, would you rather be too hot or too cold?

[A]

Yeah. And I'm actually kind of surprised by your answer, but I'm. But I wonder if it just. Your answer tends to reflect on where you live. If it's the opposite of where you.

[B]

Live, you know, what season you're currently.

[A]

In, what season you're in. Good. Good point, Michelle. Right. If we're in summer, people might say they'd rather be too cold, Right?

[B]

Sure.

[A]

So what were the results?

[B]

So, yeah, so I was also surprised by these. So I was also kind of happy because I agree with this. But again, it's because it's summer here and it's hot. So 38% of those who answered said too they would rather be too hot, and 61% said they would rather be too cold.

[A]

Oh, I think I'm in the too hot category. I just feel like being too cold feels almost dangerous or something.

[B]

You know what I mean? I don't know. Yeah, I don't know. It's been really, really hot here this summer. I, I. But I. And, and it's just. It's just too bad because, you know, you. I just know I'm gonna change my mind and say I'd rather be too hot once it gets too cold. So.

[A]

For sure. For sure. Well, there you go. There's our polls, guys. Be sure to participate in our polls. You do need to be listening over in Spotify if you want to participate. So consider becoming a listener in Spotify.

[B]

All right. Absolutely. So I thought that that it would be great to go through some words in English where there are a lot of mix ups with sp spelling or that maybe there's more than one way to spell these words. So we're also going to show you how to ask how something is spelled right. When it can be done in a couple ways. So yeah, we're gonna go through some, some fun ones, just a few, and then really talk about how to incorporate the ask into our conversations.

[A]

So the ask, the connection moment.

[B]

Right? I love it. Exactly. So one I actually just happened to get these for my kids to today is donut.

[A]

Lucky kids, right? What kind of donuts did you get, Michelle? Was it chocolate glazed or Boston cream pie?

[B]

Well, my son got a chocolate glaze and my daughter got a pink one with pink frosting and sprinkles. Okay, got it. Yeah, exactly. Yes. So that they were, they were very excited about that. So. But how do you spell donut?

[A]

Yeah, I know. That's the point, right? That's the good question. Well, there are two ways to spell it and we've seen both. I mean, I've seen D o n u t and I've also seen D o u g h n u t like dough nut, you know, like bread dough. I feel like I've seen, you know, for Dunkin Donuts, I've seen it spelled D o n u t. Maybe it's more for brands. I don't really know.

[B]

Right. Yeah. I mean both are okay. I see both. So I don't think you can really go wrong either way. I think D o n u t to me it's more common. It's a little bit I, I d o u g h n u t. It's. I don't want to say the word.

[A]

Snobby, but it feels older fashion. It feels a little more old fashioned.

[B]

I think, like a little more stiff. Which is, which is so funny because we're talking about a donut. So how can anything.

[A]

Yeah. What is stiff about a donut?

[B]

Come on. Unless it's stale, I guess. Oh yeah. So, yeah. But you know, here you really can't go wrong. O n u t is what we've seen more frequently now. This one gets me. What's the next one?

[A]

This gets me too. I'm always second guessing myself when I write this word. Yeah, it's canceled. So it's the past tense of cancel. We have seen it written with 1L and 2L's. We've seen both, but maybe one is more common in British English. Which one do we think is more common.

[B]

I believe two is more common in British English. English. But again, I mean, you know, you can't. Like either one is. Okay. I actually, just to double check, I actually just typed both of them in again on my sheet to see if I would get a red squiggly line under either and I did not get one.

[A]

Okay, well, that means both are an option. But we tend to second guess ourselves. So we may be asking someone this question, does it have 1L or 2L? So we'll get to those phrases in just a minute. There's another one that has the same scenario idea. Need to be able to use. Our listeners want to use this verb.

[B]

Right? Right. Which is traveled. So past tense of travel. So again, British English tends to have the two Ls and American English might tend to have the one. But again, you can't go wrong. But it is it. There is always that moment where you know, you're like, wait, which one is it? And I, I don't think anybody really knows. What do you think?

[A]

No one really knows. It's true. That makes me feel better, right. That it's this, you know, spelling I think isn't necessarily a measure of competence. It's just, you know, some people are good at it, others are not. You know, it's. There's so much more in the world to learn right. But we try to get it right as much as we can. So we're going to take a quick break and then we'll be back to talk about a few more that get confusing when it comes to spacing. Michelle.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You just realized your business needed to hire someone yesterday. So how can you find amazing candidates fast? Easy. Just use Indeed. When it comes to hiring, Indeed is all you need. Stop struggling to get your job post seen on other job sites. Indeed Sponsored Jobs helps you stand out and hire fast. With Sponsored Jobs, your post jumps to the top of the page for your relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want faster and it makes a huge difference. According to Indeed data, Sponsored Jobs posted directly on indeed have 45% more applications than non sponsored Jobs. I love that Indeed makes hiring fast. Top candidates are in high demand and if you want to build a great team, you need to move quickly. Indeed helps you do that. So just how fast is indeed? Well, in the minute that I've been Talking to you, 23 hires were made on Indeed. According to Indeed data worldwide. There's no need to wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed and listeners of this show will get a 75 sponsored job credit. To get your jobs more visibility@ Indeed.com a e e just go to Indeed.com a e e right now and support our show by saying that you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com a e-that's I N-E-E-D.com a e e Terms and conditions do apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need. Okay. I'm excited for this next one because I feel like at some point in school, I learned this, and then I. Now I always remember it, but before I learned it, I forgot it all the time, you know?

[B]

Okay, so what is it? And tell it. Tell us what you learned. And that was a lot, Michelle. Was a lot. That was a lot. That was a lot.

[A]

Well, there it is. A lot is what we're talking about here.

[B]

Right?

[A]

So the phrase a lot, like an excessive amount of something.

[B]

Right. So we do.

[A]

Yeah, we do use a space that is best for formal writing between A and lot. So a lot. What do we think, Michelle? Is this rule ever broken?

[B]

Yeah, I mean, I would say in an informal text, I would say it's okay, but, yeah, I. I always put a space. What about you?

[A]

I always put a space, even in texting. This one, I, again, I feel like it's the kind of thing once you know it, you know it and you don't forget it, you know?

[B]

Yeah. Because again, I'm looking at the red squiggly line over a lot. Oh, yeah.

[A]

In our notes.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yep, yep. So that was a lot. And then we're gonna do one more, and then we're gonna get into asking about spelling. So this one is email. And I always thought email was with a dash, E dash, mail. But apparently there is no dash now.

[A]

But I wonder if the spelling has changed, though, as it's become. You know how they used to say world Wide Web and all these things that sound so antiquated now. I wonder if they did originally spell it like email. Oh, that's so creative. Electronic mail. Email, you know, but now it's just email. Could you send me an email? It's just become a full word.

[B]

Right, right. Yes. So apparently you're right. It was with a dash. And then over time, it did change to no dash. So that. That is very interesting how that can happen. So no dash with email. But again, if you put a dash, I don't think anyone's gonna freak out. But yeah, it is correct to do it without a dash.

[A]

All right, now I'm excited, Michelle, to get into the connection Piece. Because it's all about asking for help sometimes.

[B]

Y. Right? Yeah.

[A]

And what is the scenario that we might be in when we might ask for help?

[B]

Michelle, for example, I mean, let's say you are working on a project with someone. You might be kind of writing something together. Maybe they're sitting next to you and you were the one taking notes and you might just say, oh, does this have a blank or a blank? Right. So there's. Yeah, there's a lot of different scenarios. So so. Or even if you're text messaging next to someone, you're sending a text and you might say, wait, does this, you know, we. We all have these moments. I definitely have had people ask me. I've asked people, oh, what is it? So it's a good one.

[A]

So the first you're doing like arts and crafts. You're making a sign. I remember making a sign. Yes. Cardboard with my niece. And, you know, having that question, like, does this word have a 2L's or 1L?

[B]

Right.

[A]

So these are the questions. So let's get into those questions, Michelle, what are they?

[B]

Yeah, so the first one is, does blank have a blank? So we're gonna use. And we're gonna use nerve wracking here because you and Aubrey did an episode about nerve wracking. So guys, you can go ahead and look up nerve wracking and find that episode. So, yeah. So for example, does nerve wracking have a W or.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Or does email have a dash or. Yeah.

[A]

Is there an X in Y? Is there a something in something else?

[B]

Right, right, right, right, right. Is there a. Is there a dash and nerve wracking. Is there. Right.

[A]

Is there a W and wrinkle. Right.

[B]

Yes, yes. Right, right. So is there an X in Y? And sometimes you might hear or no at the end. Right. So like, is there a G in donut or. No. Right.

[A]

And it's hard with the answer is what? Whichever one you want.

[B]

Right?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

You know?

[A]

Yeah, that's today's about the question asking the questions. So.

[B]

Exactly. Or what's another question you might ask if you're not sure. Right. So like, for. This is especially useful for the traveled the canceled examples.

[A]

So for example, how many X's are in that? Or how many L's are in that? You want me to write canceled? How many L's are in that?

[B]

Right, right, right. Exactly. Or you could say two. One blank or two or two blank or one. So two L's or one. One L or two. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Do you do sometimes Maybe you might get this. When you're spelling your name, if you have a double L, like maybe a Melissa or something, I'm thinking, I got it.

[B]

I got it.

[A]

You do get it. Yeah, of course.

[B]

Of course.

[A]

For Michelle.

[B]

Yeah, Michelle. And I'm two. But a lot of. I mean. And I think we've done this episode before, an episode about names and talking about spelling, because that's a really common one. Whenever I meet someone who has my name, it's always one L or two. Right. And every single time, every single time I meet another Michelle, there's no. That never doesn't happen. Yep.

[A]

And in that episode, we talked about how fun it is as a connection moment because it's kind of contested. It's like, are you team A? Right, Team double L or team single L? It's the same for me with ey and a Y. Guys, if you're excited about that episode, go and find it in the archives. It's somewhere deep back in there. But it was a great connection episode, that one.

[B]

Yeah. That was fun. So, yeah. Another. And one more is. Is that X or Y? Right. So just say. Say what the spelling is. Oh, is that D o n u t or D o u g h N u T. Right. Or you might just. You don't even have to say. Is that you can just spell it out D o n u t or D o u g h. Or you might even just use the section that's kind of debated. So. Right. You could say, right N u t or O u g h. Right.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You might end up saying the whole word for the. For that one. But yeah, exactly. So taking the most convenient part again, we want to shorten things so we can get to the connection moment. Of course. We don't want to be too long winded in our question.

[B]

Right, Exactly. So let's show how Michelle look. Yes.

[A]

Okay, let's do it. Okay. All right, so here, Michelle, we are classmates, and we are working on a project.

[B]

Right? Okay, perfect. Okay. Okay, so let's write free donuts.

[A]

Okay. I can put that down. D o n u T or d o u g h N u t O n u T. Okay, so it says free donuts. Does email have a dash?

[B]

No, I don't think so. Okay, so. So type this. We have a lot of free donuts. We have.

[A]

Is there a space in a lot or.

[B]

No, no, not here.

[A]

Okay, now write the free donuts were canceled.

[B]

Two L's or one and canceled.

[A]

Let's go with one.

[B]

Okay, nice.

[A]

We're having a lot of challenges over here. Oh, that's fun. Very typical conversation, though. Again, if you're. You're working on some kind of project together, some kind of signage that you're creat meeting or a joint announcement of some sort.

[B]

Right? Yeah, right, right, right. Exactly. So this is kind of fun. So you said, okay, I can put that down. And then you said d o n u t or d o u g H n u t. So I did.

[A]

The spelling method here.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And then you said o n u t. So you didn't respond with the.

[B]

Full d o n u t. You.

[A]

Could have done that. Sure. There's no hard and fast rule here, but you were just saving time. And you said o n u t. Right.

[B]

So next, let's see. You said, oh, does email have a dash?

[A]

Right? And then you said, no, I don't think so. And then you asked me to type this. We have a lot of free donuts. And then I said, a lot. Is there a space in a lot or no?

[B]

And I said, no, not here. And then you said, okay, now. Right, the free donuts were canceled. And I said, two l's or one and canceled. And you said, let's go with one.

[A]

Well, we got our work done here, Michelle. We got it done.

[B]

Nice.

[A]

Good job. Well, this is great. Michelle, what's the final takeaway for our listeners for today? This kind of episode? What are we looking at today?

[B]

These are kind of fun. It's always there are these specific words that people can probably. You can probably think of 10 words if you really think about it, that you always. I mean, for me at least, that I always have like a little bit of trouble.

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

That you're always gonna forget. And chances are that those are fairly universal so you can generally connect with somebody about that. So these, these are just really good ways to connect. Don't be afraid to ask. And yeah, this. Yeah, it's kind of fun.

[A]

Yeah, you got it, guys. That's the connection. Right moment right there for you and Michelle. I'll see you back here very soon. Gu follow button. If you love our style of connection, not perfection.

[B]

All right. All right. Thanks for chatting with me, Lindsay.

[A]

Bye, Michelle. Take care. Bye.

[B]

Bye.

[A]

Thanks for listening. To all ears, English. Would you like to know your English level? Take our two minute quiz, go to allearsenglish.com forward/fluency score. And if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time. And Doug, Limu and I always tell you to customize your car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. But now we want you to feel it.

[B]

Cue the emu music.

[A]

Limu. Save yourself money today. Increase your wealth. Customize and save. We save. That may have been too much feeling. Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com.

[B]

Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings vary unwritten.

[A]

By Liberty Mutual insurance company and affiliates.

[B]

Excludes Massachusetts.

[A]

For a limited time at McDonald's, get.

[B]

A Big Mac Extra Value meal for $8. That means two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun and medium fries and a drink.

[A]

We may need to change that jingle.

[B]

Prices and participation may vary.