Probably because those words were the ones we looked up first when we being taught how to use a dictionary. I'd hazard a guess that most of us can spell those words in foreign languages too, for much the same reason.
Ooooops! Edited it. Just goes to show how the enormity of the predictive text effect affects our writing.
Where I used to live there was a furniture shop which, according to their sign, sold: "Beds, tables, chairs, chester draws..."
Footbull instead of football darn sarf. Nucular instead of nuclear really bugs me, and I was learnt it instead of I was taught it.
apart instead of a part, especially as it gives the opposite meaning (mostly seen on facebook) weary instead of wary (mostly heard in conversation)
Can't believe it hasn't been mentioned yet... I bought a scarf from the club shop and brought it to the next game. Bought - a purchase Brought - to bring Please, please. It's a massive gripe.
One of my biggest gripes is when someone types "we were much better THEN them." It's better THAN them