Exploring the common misstep behind "way side"

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem 13/10/2024, 13:56

English.me team member

What kind of error is it?

spelling error

Why do people make this mistake?

People may confuse "way side" with "wayside", possibly thinking of each word individually rather than recognizing "wayside" as a single compound word.

What is correct?

"Wayside" is the correct form, as it is a compound noun referring to the edge of a road or path.

Examples of correct usage

We stopped at the wayside for a picnic.
The car encountered a problem and had to pull over to the wayside.
There are many wildflowers growing by the wayside.