Have you ever wondered whether it's "writing" or "writting"? You're not alone—this is one of the most common spelling mistakes in English. While it may seem like just one letter difference, it actually says a lot about how words are formed and how spelling rules work in English. In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about this topic in a way that even a 12-year-old can understand. By the end, you’ll never confuse these two again—and you’ll understand why one is correct and the other isn’t.
What Is the Correct Spelling?
"Writing" is the correct spelling. It comes from the verb "to write" and follows the rule of dropping the silent "e" before adding "-ing." On the other hand, "writting" is not a real word in English and should be avoided.
"Writing is like painting with words. One wrong stroke changes everything." – An English Teacher
Why Do People Spell It Wrong?
People often spell it as "writting" because they're used to doubling consonants when adding endings like "-ing." For example, "sit" becomes "sitting." But English has specific rules for this, and "write" doesn’t follow the double-t rule because the "e" is dropped first.
Quick Tip:
If a word ends in a silent "e," drop the "e" before adding "-ing." That’s why it's "write" → "writing," not "writting."
Understanding the Base Word: Write
The base word here is "write." It ends in an "e," which is silent. When you add "-ing" to such a word, you drop the "e" before adding the ending. That gives you "writing." If you were to double the "t," it would change the root and break the rule.
Doubling Rules in English
In English, we double the final consonant before "-ing" only if the word ends in a single vowel + single consonant, and the stress is on the last syllable—like "begin" → "beginning." But "write" doesn't meet that condition, so we don’t double the "t."
How to Remember the Right Spelling
Try this trick: If the base word ends in a silent "e," just remove the "e" and add "-ing." You don’t double the consonant unless the word is short and stressed at the end. So think: "write" becomes "writing," just like "make" becomes "making."
Real-Life Examples of Writing
You use "writing" in many everyday situations: school essays, birthday cards, storybooks, and even social media posts. Imagine saying, "I love writting stories"—that looks weird, right? Stick with "writing," and you'll look like a pro.
Common Mistakes Like Writting
There are other similar errors too, like "runing" instead of "running" or "hoping" vs. "hopping." Knowing when to double the consonant can help you avoid embarrassing spelling mistakes. "Writting" is just one example of a wider pattern.
Expert Tip: Practice with Word Families
As someone who tutors students in spelling, I always suggest practicing word families. Group words like "write," "ride," "bite," and study how they change with endings. You'll notice that none of them double the last consonant before adding "-ing."
Key Benefits of Time Management:
- You write more clearly and correctly
- You avoid embarrassing errors
- You save editing time
- You build strong writing habits
Helpful Tools to Improve Your Spelling
Use tools like Grammarly, Microsoft Word spell checker, or browser extensions that highlight mistakes as you type. I’ve caught many misspellings using these tools—even as a writing coach, mistakes happen!
Fun Memory Tricks to Remember "Writing"
Here's a simple one: think of a pen "writing" and imagine it dropping the silent "e" as it moves. No double "t" in sight. Or, remember the phrase "Writing is right, writting is wrong." Rhymes help us remember things more easily!
Final Thoughts: Practice Makes Perfect
Like any other skill, writing takes practice. The more you see and use the word "writing" correctly, the more natural it becomes. Keep reading, keep spelling, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes—they're part of learning.
FAQs about Writing vs Writting
Q: Is "writting" ever correct in any situation?
No, "writting" is never correct in standard English. Always use "writing."
Q: Why do some people use "writting" online?
Most likely, it’s a typo or misunderstanding of spelling rules. It’s very common, especially for learners.
Q: What is the base form of "writing"?
The base form is "write." You remove the "e" and add "-ing" to form "writing."
Q: Are there other words like "writing" that confuse people?
Yes! Words like "making," "hoping," and "baking" follow the same pattern—drop the "e," don’t double the consonant.
Q: How can I avoid making spelling mistakes like this?
Read more, write often, and use spell check tools. Repetition and correction help build memory.
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