Learn why forty is the only accepted spelling of the number 40, despite the fact that four contains a u. Explore the origins and variations of this word from Old English to Modern English. Learn the difference between forty and fourty , and why forty is the only correct spelling for the number 40 in English. See examples, tips, and related words to avoid confusion and improve your writing. Do you know that the difference between " fourty " vs. "forty"? Learn what spelling of the number is actually correct here. Forty vs. Fourty Derivation is one of the four means of word formation and probably the most important, using suffixes and prefixes to create new words. But at the same time, derivation can also become very tricky, especially when it also changes one or two letters before adding a suffix/prefix. " Fourty " is a great example for the situation above. You may have seen the number 40 spelled both " forty " and " fourty ", but does this mean that both forms are correct or officially accepted today ...