To Double or Not to Double: The Rule Behind Letters in Verb Endings

5/22/20232 min read

Today, we're delving into one of the trickier aspects of English spelling—doubling final letters in verb endings. When do we double the last letter before adding -ing or -ed to a verb? Why do we write 'running' but 'hiking'? Join us as we unravel this linguistic puzzle.

The Basic Rule: Double the Final Letter

Here's the simple rule: in a one-syllable verb ending in one vowel and one consonant, we double the final letter before adding -ing or -ed. So, 'run' becomes 'running' and 'stopped'. This rule applies to verbs like 'sit' (sitting), 'stop' (stopped), and 'swim' (swimming).

The Exceptions: Not All Letters Double

Not every final consonant doubles, though. If the verb ends in -w, -x, or -y, we don't double the last letter. So 'fix' becomes 'fixing', not 'fixxing', and 'play' becomes 'playing', not 'playying'.

The Multisyllable Mystery: When Stress Matters

With multisyllable verbs, things get more complex. Here, stress comes into play. If the stress is on the final syllable, we double the last letter. That's why 'admit' becomes 'admitted' and 'refer' becomes 'referring'. But if the stress is not on the last syllable, we don't double the last letter. That's why 'benefit' becomes 'benefiting' and 'visit' becomes 'visiting'.

So, to double or not to double largely depends on syllable count, vowel-consonant arrangement, and stress placement.

English spelling might seem capricious at times, but even its seemingly erratic rules like letter doubling have a system to them—a system rooted in the language's rich and diverse history.

For more explorations of English's intricacies, you might enjoy our posts on The I Before E Rule: Deceptions and Exceptions and The Curious Case of the Silent 'K': Knife, Knight, and Knuckle.

Remember, the next time you're writing verbs in their -ing or -ed forms, you're not just spelling—you're navigating the rich and fascinating landscape of the English language!

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To double, or not,

In verb endings, a plot,

Language's cryptic thought.

"Running", "swimming" play,

While "moving", "walking" stay,

In the English way.

Rules in letters twine,

In this tongue, by design,

Enigmas align.