Correct spelling, explanation: maintenance is the correct spelling for this noun, as the original French word is spelled exactly the same. Confusion with this word is understandable since other words related are spelled with the digraph -ai- (maintain, maintainable, etc.). These words are probably written with -ai- due to pronunciation problems and maintenance remained since there was so issue with pronunciation. Therefore maintainance is the wrong form.
Definition of maintenance:
noun, an action of maintaining, care of something
The maintenance of such a big house is expensive.
There are about thirty maintenance employees in this building.
Incorrect spelling, explanation: a common problem with this word is connected with other words from this core being spelled with the digraph -ai- (for example maintain). The correct form though is maintenance and it is the exact same form adapted from French. Other forms, in which -ai- has been added are spelled different way, probably because of pronunciation. Before standardizing spelling it may have been even written as maintayne – it was the pronouncing way that was more important. Maintenance though remained the same because it was pronounced this way. This is the reason why maintainance is incorrect.
Incorrect spelling
Incorrect spelling
Incorrect spelling
Incorrect spelling
Incorrect spelling
Incorrect spelling
Incorrect spelling
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