Forty is the correct spelling of the number 40. Fourty is a common spelling mistake and is not accepted as the standard spelling in modern English. For example, write “I have forty dollars,” not “I have fourty dollars.” Although the word four contains a “u,” the correct spelling of forty does not.
Have you ever wondered whether to write forty or fourty? The difference seems small, but only one spelling is correct in standard English. The correct word is forty, which represents the number 40. Many people mistakenly write fourty because they naturally connect the word to four, but English spelling does not always follow the same pattern as the numbers from which words are derived. Whether you are writing a check, completing a school assignment, preparing a business document, or typing a message, knowing the correct spelling helps you communicate clearly and professionally.
Is It Forty or Fourty?
The correct spelling is forty.
- Forty: Correct spelling of the number 40.
- Fourty: Incorrect spelling in standard modern English.
Examples:
- Correct: “She turned forty yesterday.”
- Incorrect: “She turned fourty yesterday.”
The mistake happens because people expect the word to follow the spelling of four. However, the number 40 has its own established spelling: forty.
Why Is Forty Spelled Without a U?
The spelling of forty developed through the history of English number words. Although forty is related to four, its spelling evolved differently.
English has many words whose spellings do not perfectly match their related words. In this case, the standard spelling settled on forty, without the letter u.
You can remember the difference this way:
- Four = 4
- Fourteen = 14
- Forty = 40
Notice that fourteen keeps the u, but forty does not.
There is no need to apply a special spelling rule to every number. The easiest approach is to memorize forty as the standard spelling of 40.
How to Use Forty in a Sentence
Forty is a number word that can function as an adjective, a pronoun, or part of a larger number expression.
1. Forty as an Age
Examples:
- My uncle is forty years old.
- She celebrated her fortieth birthday last week.
- He will turn forty in December.
Remember that the ordinal form is fortieth, not fourtieth.
2. Forty as a Quantity
Examples:
- I bought forty apples for the event.
- There are forty students in the classroom.
- The library has forty new books.
In each sentence, forty tells you how many items or people are involved.
3. Forty as an Amount of Money
Examples:
- The jacket costs forty dollars.
- I paid forty pounds for the ticket.
- She saved forty dollars this week.
When writing formal financial documents, you may need to express the amount in words according to the document’s requirements.
4. Forty in Time and Measurements
Examples:
- The trip took forty minutes.
- The temperature reached forty degrees.
- He ran forty kilometers during the event.
The spelling remains forty regardless of the measurement or unit.
Forty vs. Fourty: Comparison Table
| Word | Correct? | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forty | Yes | The number 40 | I have forty pages to read. |
| Fourty | No | Common misspelling of forty | Use forty instead. |
| Four | Yes | The number 4 | She has four pens. |
| Fourteen | Yes | The number 14 | He is fourteen years old. |
| Fortieth | Yes | The ordinal form of 40 | Today is her fortieth birthday. |
How to Remember the Correct Spelling
Here are a few simple ways to remember that forty does not contain a u.
Trick 1: Memorize “Forty Has No U”
Think of this short reminder:
“Four has a U, but forty doesn’t.”
This makes the spelling difference easy to recall.
Trick 2: Practice the Number Sequence
Write these words together:
- Four
- Fourteen
- Forty
- Fortieth
Pay special attention to forty and fortieth. Both are spelled without the u after the o.
Trick 3: Use a Correct Example
Repeat a sentence such as:
“I saved forty dollars.”
Seeing the correct spelling in context can help you remember it the next time you write the number.
Trick 4: Check Before Submitting
If you are writing a résumé, essay, report, or formal email, use a spell-checking tool or proofread your work. Remember, however, that some tools may not catch every context-specific error.
Common Mistakes With Forty
1. Writing Fourty Instead of Forty
Incorrect: “We invited fourty guests.”
Correct: “We invited forty guests.”
The word forty never needs the u in standard English.
2. Writing Fourtieth Instead of Fortieth
Incorrect: “It is her fourtieth birthday.”
Correct: “It is her fortieth birthday.”
The ordinal form also omits the u.
3. Assuming All Numbers Follow the Same Pattern
Four and fourteen contain the letter u, but forty does not. Number words have established spellings, and they do not always follow a perfectly consistent pattern.
4. Confusing Forty With Fourteen
Forty means 40, while fourteen means 14.
For example:
- “She has forty books” means she has 40 books.
- “She has fourteen books” means she has 14 books.
The two words represent different quantities, so make sure you choose the intended number.
Forty in American and British English
The spelling forty is standard in both American and British English. Unlike some words that have regional spelling variations, this number does not change spelling between the two varieties.
Examples:
- American English: forty
- British English: forty
- Australian English: forty
- Canadian English: forty
You should use forty regardless of which major English variety you write.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it forty or fourty?
Forty is correct. Fourty is a common misspelling and is not the standard spelling of the number 40.
2. Why does forty not have a U?
The spelling developed historically and became standardized as forty. Although the word is related to four, it does not retain the same spelling.
3. Is fourty ever correct?
Fourty is not accepted as the standard modern English spelling of the number 40. Use forty in schoolwork, professional writing, and everyday communication.
4. How do you spell 40 in words?
The number 40 is spelled forty.
5. Is it fortieth or fourtieth?
The correct spelling is fortieth. Like forty, it does not contain a u after the o.
6. Is forty spelled the same in American and British English?
Yes. Forty is the standard spelling in both American and British English.
7. Why do people write fourty?
People often write fourty because they associate the word with four and expect the spelling to remain similar. However, forty is the established spelling.
8. What is the difference between forty and fourteen?
Forty means 40, while fourteen means 14. They are different number words with different pronunciations and meanings.
Conclusion
The correct spelling is forty, not fourty. Even though the number four contains a u, the number 40 follows a different spelling pattern. The same applies to its ordinal form, fortieth. To remember the rule, use the simple reminder “Forty has no U.” Whether you are writing about age, money, quantities, or measurements, choosing forty will keep your spelling accurate in both American and British English.
Andrew Morris is a writer at Meaninga.com who specializes in word meanings, slang, idioms and modern language trends. He creates clear, accurate and easy to understand content for everyday readers.
