“Oh, I never know whether to write ‘bizzare’ or ‘bizarre’! Which one is correct?” This is a common dilemma for many English learners, and it’s easy to see why. The two spellings are so similar, yet they seem to defy the rules we’ve learned about English spelling. Well, fear not! I’m here to shed some light on this perplexing question.
The correct spelling is ‘bizarre.’ Yes, that’s right – two ‘z’s and no ‘e’ at the end. It may seem counterintuitive, but let me explain why this is the case.
In English, there are many silent letters, and ‘bizarre’ is no exception. The final ‘e’ in the word serves no pronunciation purpose; it doesn’t change the sound of the ‘z’ or any other letter. Instead, it exists purely for etymological reasons. ‘Bizarre’ comes from the French word ‘bizarre,’ which means “odd” or “strange.” When this word was adopted into English, we kept the original spelling, including the silent ‘e’ at the end.
To further clarify, let’s look at some examples. Imagine you’re describing a particularly unusual fashion trend to your friend. Instead of saying, “Wow, that’s really bizzare,” you would say, “Wow, that’s really bizarre!” See how the word looks and sounds more balanced this way? It flows off the tongue effortlessly without any unnecessary letters.
Let’s dig a little deeper and explore the usage of ‘bizarre’ in different contexts. This word is commonly used to describe something that is extremely strange or out of the ordinary. It could refer to a peculiar event, an eccentric personality, or even a baffling coincidence. For instance:
1. The magician’s performance was truly bizarre. He made rabbits appear out of thin air and then turned them into hats!
2. The abandoned house on the hill had a bizarre aura, with its overgrown weeds and broken windows.
3. James couldn’t help but notice the bizarre resemblance between his pet dog and his neighbor’s cat.
By now, you may be wondering if there are any similar words that follow the same spelling convention as ‘bizarre.’ Well, indeed, there are! Consider words like ‘gazette,’ ‘razzle,’ and ‘fizzle.’ They all share the same pattern of ‘zz’ without an additional ‘e.’
Understanding the correct spelling of ‘bizarre’ is not only important for building good writing habits but also for excelling in language proficiency exams like the IELTS. Demonstrating a strong command of spelling conventions will undoubtedly impress examiners and contribute to a higher overall score.
So, the next time you find yourself pondering the spelling of ‘bizarre,’ remember: it’s ‘bizarre’ with two ‘z’s and no ‘e’ at the end. Embrace the quirky side of English spelling and confidently use this word to describe all the strange and extraordinary things you encounter.