As 2026 begins, a new analysis of "how to spell" searches has identified this ten-letter word as the most common linguistic hurdle for New Mexicans.
1. The Tricky Anatomy of "Appreciate."
Why does "Appreciate" give New Mexicans so much trouble? Linguists suggest it's a perfect storm of spelling traps:
- The Double Consonant: Many people forget the second "p," leading to the common "apreciate."
- The Soft "C": Because the "c" makes a "sh" sound, phonetic spellers often try to use an "s" or even a "sh" (e.g., apreshate).
- The Suffix: The "-iate" ending is often confused with "-eat" or "-ate."
2. A History of Spelling Struggles
New Mexico has a colorful history of "how to spell" search results. Over the last decade, the state has cycled through several different "trouble words" identified by Google during National Spelling Bee season:
- 2025: Appreciate (Current Leader)
- 2024: Quiet (Frequently confused with quite)
- 2021: Favorite (Many residents were caught searching if it had a "u," as in the British favourite)
- 2017: Bananas (Despite the catchy Gwen Stefani song, New Mexico was the only state to have this as its #1 search)
3. The "Albuquerque" Irony
Perhaps the most surprising part of the report is what isn't on it: Albuquerque. While visitors and out-of-staters consistently rank New Mexico's largest city as one of the hardest names to spell in America, locals seem to have mastered it.
Quick Check: Did you know "Albuquerque" actually has two "r"s? The common misspelling drops the second "r" before the "q."
4. How New Mexico Compares to Neighbors
New Mexico isn't alone in its spelling woes. Here is what our neighbors are searching in 2026:
- Arizona: Struggling with "People" (specifically the "eo" vowel combination).
- Texas: Having trouble with "Protect."
- Colorado: Puzzled by the word "Sergeant."
- Oklahoma: Searching for the correct way to spell "Patience."
Spelling Tip for 2026
If you find yourself second-guessing your spelling in a work email or a text, remember that you aren't alone. "Appreciate" is a word of gratitude, but its spelling is anything but helpful. A quick trick: Think of "Apple"—they both start with "App."