Publicly or Publically: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-03 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: If you are unsure which spelling to choose, the answer is straightforward. Publicly is the only correct form in standard English. Publically is a common error that many people make. You should always use the version with one a to appear professional and accurate in your writing.

The Short Answer

Publicly is the correct spelling of this adverb, while publically is considered incorrect by standard dictionaries and style guides. You should always choose the shorter version when writing formal documents, emails, or casual messages to ensure your grammar is flawless and professional.

People often confuse these two words because the root word public ends in a c, leading them to believe an a is needed for smooth pronunciation. This phonetic intuition is a trap, as the adverbial form simply adds ly to the root without inserting an extra vowel sound.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
publicly	Correct	Writing any text in English
publically	Incorrect	Never use this form
public	Adjective/Noun	Describing a state or place
publication	Noun	Referring to printed works

Correct Example Sentences

The mayor spoke publicly about the new city budget plans.
Please share your feedback publicly so everyone can benefit.
She acted publicly to support the local charity drive.
The results were made publicly available for all citizens.
He apologized publicly for his mistake during the meeting.
The library offers resources publicly to the entire community.
They announced the merger publicly on the company website.
Vote publicly to ensure transparency in the election process.
The artist displayed his work publicly in the town square.
Keep your personal data private rather than posting it publicly.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

The news was released publically yesterday.: The news was released publicly yesterday.
He lives a very publically known life.: He lives a very publicly known life.
Critics reviewed the film publically.: Critics reviewed the film publicly.
She spoke publically at the rally.: She spoke publicly at the rally.
The policy is publically available online.: The policy is publicly available online.
They acted publically in the court.: They acted publicly in the court.

A Quick Test You Can Use

To verify your spelling, look at the root word public. Since it is a short word ending in a hard consonant sound, you simply attach the suffix ly directly to it. If you find yourself adding an extra a to bridge the sounds, pause and remember that this specific adverb does not require that extra vowel for clarity or correctness.

Related Word Pairs

public vs. publish: Public describes a state; publish means to make known.
advice vs. advise: Advice is the noun; advise is the verb.
affect vs. effect: Affect is usually a verb; effect is usually a noun.
lose vs. loose: Lose means to misplace; loose means not tight.
their vs. there: Their shows ownership; there indicates a place.

More Example Sentences

The government released the report publicly to ensure transparency.
Stars shine publicly in the night sky for all to see.
Please do not shout your secrets publicly at the dinner party.
The company policy is publicly posted on the main lobby wall.
Artists often display their creations publicly in city parks.
Officials met publicly to discuss the new traffic regulations.
The charity event is open publicly to anyone who wishes to attend.
Teachers graded the exams publicly to avoid any suspicion of bias.
The witness testified publicly in the courtroom yesterday.
Records are kept publicly so citizens can access them easily.

Quick Practice

The mayor spoke about the new park project.

publicly

Do not share your password on social media.

publicly

The museum exhibits are available to all visitors.

publicly

She apologized for the inconvenience caused.

publicly

The results were posted on the bulletin board.

publicly

Please keep this matter private rather than discussing it .

publicly

Frequently Asked Questions

Is publically a British spelling?

No, publically is not accepted in British English either. Both American and British standards recognize publicly as the only correct spelling of the adverb derived from the word public.

Why do spellcheckers sometimes miss publically?

Some older or less robust spellcheckers might not flag publically because it looks like a plausible word. However, modern tools usually catch this error, so always double-check your work manually to be sure.

Can I use publically in informal texts?

It is best to avoid it even in casual texts. Using the incorrect form can make your message look careless. Taking a second to type publicly correctly helps maintain good habits and clarity for your readers.

Are there other adverbs that follow this pattern?

Yes, many adverbs ending in ly come from nouns or adjectives ending in c, such as public. Others include basic to basically or panic to panically, where no extra vowel is inserted before the suffix.