🧠 Why People Confuse Publically and Publicly

Publicly is correct, while publically is incorrect in modern standard English. Many people search for “publically or publicly” because the two spellings sound the same and both look like they could be right.

The confusion often comes from similar words like “officially” or “generally”, where the -ally ending is common. People want to know which form to use in emails, essays, social media posts, or official documents.

This article clears the confusion with a simple answer, origin, spelling rules, examples, and practical advice. By the end, you will know exactly when to use publicly with confidence.

Table of Contents

Publically or Publicly – Quick Answer

Publicly is the correct spelling in modern English.
Publically is incorrect and is considered a misspelling.

Quick Examples

✅ Publicly

She spoke publicly about the issue.
The company announced it publicly.

❌ Publically

She spoke publically about the issue.

Simple Rule

If you want to describe something done in public, use publicly.

The Origin of Publically or Publicly

Why the Confusion Exists

English has many adverbs ending in -ly. The word public becomes publicly when you add -ly. Some people mistakenly think it should become publically because:

Many adverbs end with -ally, like actually, finally, naturally, politically.
People assume public follows the same pattern.
In fast writing, people add -ally without thinking.

Word History

The word public comes from Latin publicus, meaning “of the people.”
In English, the adverb form publicly has been used for hundreds of years and is the standard form in dictionaries and style guides.

Why Spelling Differences Exist in English

English spelling can be confusing because:

Many words come from Latin, French, and German.
English uses different patterns for different word groups.
Not all words follow the same rule for forming adverbs.

Public is one of those words that breaks the -ally pattern.

British English vs American English Spelling

Is There a US vs UK Difference?

No. Both British English and American English use publicly.
Publically is not accepted in either version.

British English Examples

She spoke publicly at the event.
The matter was publicly discussed.

American English Examples

He publicly apologized to his fans.
The results were publicly released.

Comparison Table

Feature	Publicly	Publically
British English	✅ Correct	❌ Incorrect
American English	✅ Correct	❌ Incorrect
Common usage	Yes	No
Formal writing	Yes	No
Seen in dictionaries	Yes	No

Which Spelling Should You Use?

For US Audiences

Always use publicly.
Using publically can look unprofessional or incorrect.

For UK and Commonwealth Audiences

Use publicly.
Publically will still be considered wrong.

For Global English Users

If your writing is read internationally, publicly is the safest choice.

When to Use “Publicly”

Use publicly when you mean:

In public
Openly
In front of people
In a public way

Examples

The politician spoke publicly about the issue.
The company publicly apologized for the mistake.

Common Mistakes with Publically or Publicly

Mistake 1: Using Publically in Formal Writing

❌ The company publically announced the new policy.
✅ The company publicly announced the new policy.

Mistake 2: Confusing -ally Ending

Many words change to -ally, but public does not.
Examples that use -ally correctly:

actually
naturally
politically

But public becomes publicly, not publically.

Mistake 3: Using Publically in School Assignments

Teachers and examiners usually mark publically as incorrect.

Mistake 4: Autocorrect Doesn’t Always Help

Sometimes autocorrect may not catch publically, so you must check yourself.

Publically or Publicly in Everyday Examples

Emails

The meeting will be publicly announced next week.
Please do not share this information publicly.

News Articles

The celebrity publicly apologized for the mistake.
The government publicly released the report.

Social Media

She publicly thanked her fans.
They publicly celebrated their success.

Formal Writing

The findings were publicly available for review.
The results were publicly documented.

Publically or Publicly – Google Trends & Usage Data

Even without exact numbers, we can understand the trend:

Popularity by Country

Publicly is widely used in:

United States
United Kingdom
Canada
Australia
India
Pakistan
Philippines

Where “Publically” Appears

Publically appears mostly in:

Social media comments
Unedited posts
Quick texting
Informal writing

Why Publicly Dominates

Because publicly is the correct form, and most published writing follows standard grammar.

Context Matters

When you read formal sources like:

News websites
Academic papers
Official documents
Books
you will almost always see publicly, not publically.

Comparison Table (Keyword Variations Side by Side)

Form	Correct?	Meaning	Example
publicly	✅ Correct	in public, openly	She spoke publicly.
publically	❌ Incorrect	none (misspelling)	❌ She spoke publically.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is “publically” ever correct?

No. Publically is a misspelling in modern English.

2. Why do people write “publically”?

Because many adverbs end with -ally, so people assume public should too.

3. Is “publicly” used in both British and American English?

Yes. Publicly is correct in both British and American English.

4. Can I use “publically” in casual writing?

Even in casual writing, it is better to use publicly.

5. Is “publicly” formal or informal?

It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal writing.

6. What is the opposite of “publicly”?

The opposite is privately or secretly.

7. How do I remember the correct spelling?

Remember: public + ly = publicly.
No -ally ending.

Conclusion

The correct spelling is publicly, not publically. This is a simple but important rule to remember. While many adverbs end in -ally, public does not follow that pattern.

The word comes from Latin and has been used as publicly for centuries.

If you are writing an email, a report, a blog post, or a school assignment, using publicly shows correct grammar and strong writing skills.

Both British and American English use publicly, so there is no regional spelling difference. If you write for a global audience, publicly is the safest and most professional choice.

Avoid publically because it can make your writing look careless and may be marked wrong in exams or professional settings.

If you want to sound more formal, you can also use in public or openly, but publicly remains the standard adverb. Remember this simple rule: public + ly = publicly, and you will never confuse the two again.