Identify the misspelt word.

Question

Identify the misspelt word.

1. A. Acquiescence
2. B. Bourgeoisie
3. C. Consciencious (Correct answer)
4. D. Epitome

Correct Answer

Option C — Consciencious

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Consciencious.

Key Points

• The correct spelling is conscientious, meaning careful, diligent and guided by conscience.
• The confusion arises from the related noun conscience, but the adjective changes its ending to -tious, not -cious.
• The other three are correctly spelt: acquiescence (silent agreement), bourgeoisie (the middle class) and epitome (a perfect example).

Additional Information

• Related forms: conscience (n.), conscientious (adj.), conscientiously (adv.) — and note the separate word conscious, meaning aware, which has only one *n* in its ending.
• Other frequently misspelt words in this family: acquaintance, occurrence, maintenance, perseverance, embarrassment, accommodate, questionnaire.
• Epitome is also commonly mispronounced; it has four syllables, ending in a sounded *-me*.