We’ve all done it. You’re typing quickly, crafting a message or writing a blog post, and suddenly a red squiggly line appears under writting. You stop, think, and maybe even question if that double “t” is right. Spoiler: it’s not.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover why we confuse writing or writting, the grammar rules behind the correct form, and how to avoid making the same spelling errors again. Along the way, you’ll find writing tips, memory tricks, and easy-to-follow English rules—all backed with real examples.
Read More About This Article: Writing Tips That Actually Work: Avoid Common English Mistakes and Master Spelling Rules
The Real Reason Behind ‘Writting’ vs. ‘Writing’
The confusion begins with the base verb: write.
When we add “-ing” to verbs in English to form the present participle, certain spelling rules kick in. In this case:
- write ends in a silent “e”, so we drop the “e” before adding “-ing”.
- Result: write → writing ✅
- Incorrect: writting ❌
Let’s look at some more examples that follow this same rule:
| Base Verb | Rule Applied | Present Participle |
|---|---|---|
| bake | drop silent “e” | baking |
| create | drop silent “e” | creating |
| type | drop silent “e” | typing |
The word writting doesn’t follow any existing English pattern. There’s no rule that supports doubling the “t” in this case.
How the Silent “E” Rule Affects Word Formation
The silent “e” isn’t just decorative—it plays a role in pronunciation and word transformation. When adding a suffix like -ing, -ed, or -able, English rules require you to drop or keep the silent “e” based on specific conditions.
General Rule:
- Drop the silent “e” when adding a suffix that starts with a vowel (like -ing, -able).
- Keep the silent “e” when adding a suffix that starts with a consonant (like -ly, -ness).
Examples:
| Base Verb | Add Suffix | Rule Applied | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| make | -ing | drop “e” | making |
| care | -less | keep “e” | careless |
| move | -able | drop “e” | movable |
| age | -ing | keep “e” (UK) | ageing (UK) |
Exceptions to Watch For:
Some words keep the silent “e” to maintain pronunciation clarity.
- singe → singeing (to avoid confusion with singing)
- dye → dyeing (to avoid confusion with dying)
“English grammar is full of patterns that make sense—until they don’t. Knowing the baseline rules helps you spot exceptions quickly.”
Why You Might Still Spell It Wrong
Even if you know the rule, you might still slip up. Here’s why:
1. Typing Speed and Muscle Memory
When you type fast, your fingers sometimes move faster than your thoughts. You double letters from other familiar words and accidentally do the same with writing.
2. Phonetic Confusion
English spelling isn’t always phonetic. Words like writing and writting sound nearly identical, which tricks the brain into spelling them similarly.
3. Overcorrection
You may have learned the “double the consonant” rule in other contexts and now overapply it where it doesn’t belong.
4. Spellcheck and Autocorrect Fails
Some tools are smart—but not all. If you type “writting” into a low-grade text field, it might not flag the error.
Other Common Mistakes Similar to ‘Writting’
You’re not alone. English is packed with spelling errors that follow a similar pattern of confusion. Let’s explore a few.
Double Consonant Confusion
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| occured | occurred | Double “r” is correct after short vowel |
| adress | address | Double “d” after short vowel |
| writting | writing | No double “t” needed |
| begining | beginning | Double “n” for stressed syllable |
Present Participle Trouble
Verbs ending in a single vowel + consonant may double the consonant before adding -ing, but only under specific stress patterns.
| Base Verb | Present Participle | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| run | running | Short vowel + consonant → double it |
| sit | sitting | Same pattern |
| travel | travelling (UK) | In British English, often double “l” |
| open | opening | No doubling needed |
Understanding Present Participles
The present participle form of a verb often ends in -ing and is used to show ongoing actions or describe nouns.
Examples in Action:
- She is writing a book.
- The barking dog kept me awake.
When Spelling Gets Tricky:
Adding -ing triggers other grammar rules, including:
- Dropping a silent “e”
- Doubling consonants (sometimes)
- Maintaining pronunciation clarity
Let’s revisit the verb write:
- It ends in a silent “e”
- We drop the “e” when adding -ing
- The result is writing, not writting
Tools and Language Devices to Avoid Spelling Errors
Fortunately, you don’t have to rely on memory alone. Several language tools can help you avoid common spelling and grammar errors.
Comparison of Useful Writing Tools
| Tool | Features | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Grammarly | Spelling, grammar, tone, clarity suggestions | Bloggers, professionals |
| Hemingway App | Sentence simplicity, passive voice checks | Creative writers, students |
| ProWritingAid | Deep grammar reports, writing style advice | Long-form content creators |
| Google Docs | Built-in spellcheck and grammar suggestions | General users |
Tip: Use at least one grammar tool and one readability tool together. They catch different things.
Writing Tips to Master Spelling and Grammar
Want to spell like a pro? Use these practical writing tips to lock in correct spellings and avoid traps like “writting.”
Actionable Tips:
- Read aloud: You’ll catch misspellings that look right on screen.
- Say it, spell it: Sound the word out syllable by syllable.
- Use flashcards: Especially for tricky verbs and homophones.
- Practice in context: Write full sentences using the target word.
- Set auto-replace rules: Let your device auto-correct writting to writing.
Mnemonics and Memory Devices
- Write drops the e before it sings (adds -ing)
- Double trouble? Only if the vowel is stressed and short!
Quick-Scan Spelling Rules Summary
Here’s a cheat sheet to keep handy when you’re writing or editing:
Drop or Keep the Silent “E”
| Suffix Type | Action | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Vowel (e.g., -ing, -able) | Drop “e” | write → writing |
| Consonant (e.g., -ly) | Keep “e” | safe → safely |
| Clarity rule | Keep “e” | singe → singeing |
Double Consonant or Not?
| Base Verb | Add -ing Result | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| run | running | Short vowel + consonant → double |
| open | opening | Unstressed syllable → no double |
| write | writing | Ends in silent “e” → drop “e” |
Conclusion
When it comes to common mistakes like writting vs. writing, knowing the grammar behind the word makes all the difference. By learning the silent “e” rules, understanding present participles, and using trusted language tools, you can avoid embarrassing spelling errors in everything you write.
Remember:
- Always check if the verb ends in a silent “e”
- Double consonants only when the rule calls for it
- Use language tools to reinforce what you’ve learned
- And when in doubt—say it out loud!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “writting” ever correct in English?
No. Writting is a common misspelling of writing. There’s no English grammar rule that justifies the double “t.”
Why does “writing” drop the “e”?
Because it follows the silent “e” rule: Drop the “e” when adding a suffix that begins with a vowel, such as “-ing.”
When should I double the consonant in a verb?
When the verb ends in a short vowel + consonant and the stress falls on the final syllable, as in begin → beginning or run → running.
What’s the best way to avoid spelling mistakes?
Use a combination of proofreading, language tools, and memory tricks. Reading your work aloud helps catch what spellcheck misses.
Are grammar tools accurate?
They’re helpful but not perfect. Use them alongside your knowledge of spelling and grammar rules.
Further Resources
Want more writing tips and grammar tools to sharpen your skills? Bookmark this page and practice every day. Your writing deserves it.