Writing vs Writting is a common spelling confusion in English, especially when learners remember words like running and sitting, where the final consonant is doubled. However, writing is the only correct spelling in standard English. Knowing this small but important spelling rule can help you communicate more clearly and avoid mistakes in school, work, blogging, and everyday writing.
The correct word comes from the verb write. When we add -ing, the silent e is removed, giving us writing, not “writting.” This simple rule explains why the two forms are not interchangeable. In this guide, you’ll learn the correct spelling, understand why “writting” is incorrect, and see practical examples that make the difference easy to remember and use confidently.
Quick Answer
Writing is the correct spelling.
Writting is a misspelling and should not be used in standard English.
The correct formation is:
write → remove the final e → add -ing → writing
Here’s the essential difference:
| Spelling | Correct? | Explanation |
| writing | ✅ Yes | Correct present participle and gerund of write |
| writting | ❌ No | Incorrectly doubles the t |
| writeing | ❌ No | Incorrectly keeps the final e |
| write | ✅ Yes | Base form of the verb |
| wrote | ✅ Yes | Simple past tense |
| written | ✅ Yes | Past participle |
So if you’re choosing between writing vs writting, always choose writing.
Comparison Overview
The easiest way to understand the difference is to compare the words directly.
| Feature | Writing | Writting |
| Standard spelling | Correct | Incorrect |
| Base word | write | write |
| Formation | write + ing | Incorrect formation |
| Final e | Removed | Removed |
| t doubled | No | Yes |
| Meaning | The act or process of writing | No separate standard meaning |
| Appropriate in formal writing | Yes | No |
| Appropriate in academic writing | Yes | No |
| Dictionary-standard form | Yes | No |
There isn’t a difference in meaning between the two spellings because writting isn’t a separate English word with a different definition. It represents an incorrect attempt to form the -ing version of write.
For example:
- She is writing an email. ✅
- She is writting an email. ❌
The first sentence uses the standard spelling. The second contains a spelling error.
Main Differences Between Writing vs Writting
The main difference between writing vs writting is simple: one follows English spelling rules, while the other doesn’t.
Writing comes from the verb write. When you add -ing, you remove the silent e from the end of the base verb.
write + ing → writing
The spelling doesn’t require a second t.
By contrast, writting adds an unnecessary t. This mistake often happens because English contains many verbs that double their final consonant before adding -ing.
Consider these examples:
- run → running
- sit → sitting
- swim → swimming
- stop → stopping
Those examples really do double the final consonant. Write doesn’t work that way.
That distinction explains why writting looks familiar but remains incorrect.
What Does “Writing” Mean?
Writing is the -ing form of the verb write. It can also function as a noun when it refers to the activity, process, or finished work of putting words into written form.
As a verb, writing describes an action happening at a particular time.
For example:
- Maria is writing a report for her manager.
- He was writing when the phone rang.
- They are writing instructions for new employees.
In these sentences, writing helps describe an ongoing action.
The word can also act as a noun:
- Writing requires regular practice.
- Her writing has become more confident.
- Creative writing gives people room to experiment.
Here, writing refers to an activity, skill, style, or body of written work.
Writing as an Action
When writing appears after a form of be, it usually forms a progressive verb construction.
For example:
She is writing a novel.
The word writing shows that the action is currently underway.
Similarly:
They were writing their final exam.
The action was taking place at a particular time in the past.
Writing as a Noun
Writing can also describe the activity itself.
For example:
Writing takes patience and attention.
Here, writing isn’t describing what someone is doing at this exact moment. Instead, it names an activity.
That grammatical flexibility makes writing an extremely common word in English.
Why Is “Writting” Incorrect?
Writting is incorrect because the spelling adds a second t that doesn’t belong in the standard form.
The mistake becomes easier to understand when you start with the original verb:
write
The word ends with a silent e. When English adds -ing, that final e normally disappears.
So:
write → writ + ing → writing
The spelling does not become:
writ + ting → writting
That’s the crucial point.
The word write contains a t, but adding -ing doesn’t automatically mean you double that consonant.
Why the Mistake Looks Logical
English has plenty of words where consonants double before -ing. That’s why your brain might naturally produce writting.
For instance:
sit → sitting
run → running
plan → planning
Because these forms are common, learners sometimes apply the doubling pattern too broadly.
English spelling, unfortunately, doesn’t reward that shortcut.
The word write belongs to a different spelling pattern because it already ends with a silent e.
Writing: The Spelling Rule Explained
When a verb ends in a silent e, English commonly drops that e before adding -ing.
Some straightforward examples include:
| Base verb | + -ing | Correct form |
| write | + ing | writing |
| make | + ing | making |
| take | + ing | taking |
| drive | + ing | driving |
| hope | + ing | hoping |
| dance | + ing | dancing |
| close | + ing | closing |
| use | + ing | using |
Notice the pattern.
The final e disappears, but the preceding consonant doesn’t automatically double.
That’s why:
write → writing
works naturally within the broader spelling system.
A Simple Formula
A useful memory formula is:
WRITE − E + ING = WRITING
This is much easier to remember than trying to memorize writting as a possibility.
Whenever you feel uncertain, return to the base word.
Ask yourself:
What happens when “write” takes “-ing”?
Remove the final e, add -ing, and you get writing.
Why Doesn’t the “T” Double in Writing?
The t doesn’t double because the spelling pattern for write doesn’t call for consonant doubling.
Consonant doubling commonly occurs with certain short verbs ending in a single consonant, especially when the word meets particular vowel and stress patterns.
For example:
- run → running
- sit → sitting
- stop → stopping
- swim → swimming
- plan → planning
These words don’t end with a silent e that needs to disappear.
Compare that with:
- write → writing
- make → making
- drive → driving
- hope → hoping
The two groups follow different spelling patterns.
This is why treating every -ing word as though it follows the run → running pattern creates mistakes.
Compare the Patterns
| Pattern | Example | Result |
| Silent e drops | write + ing | writing |
| Silent e drops | make + ing | making |
| Final consonant doubles | run + ing | running |
| Final consonant doubles | sit + ing | sitting |
| Final consonant doubles | stop + ing | stopping |
The important lesson is that adding -ing doesn’t always produce the same spelling change.
Examples of “Writing” in Sentences
Seeing the correct word in different contexts makes the spelling easier to recognize.
Everyday Writing
I spend a few minutes writing in my journal every morning.
Here, writing describes the activity of putting thoughts into written form.
Academic Writing
Students should focus on writing clear arguments supported by reliable evidence.
In this sentence, writing refers to producing academic text.
Professional Writing
She is writing a detailed report for the company’s leadership team.
The word describes an action happening now.
Creative Writing
He enjoys writing short stories during the weekend.
Here, writing describes the creation of fictional work.
Digital Writing
The developer is writing documentation for the new software release.
Writing doesn’t only involve pens and paper. It can include producing digital text, documentation, messages, and technical material.
Personal Communication
I’m writing a message to thank everyone who helped.
Again, the word identifies an ongoing action.
Common Mistakes With “Writing”
Several mistakes appear repeatedly when people try to spell writing.
Writting
Incorrect: I am writting a letter.
Correct: I am writing a letter.
The error comes from unnecessarily doubling the t.
Writeing
Incorrect: She is writeing an article.
Correct: She is writing an article.
This version keeps the final e, which English normally removes before -ing in this word.
Written
Incorrect: I am written an email.
Correct: I am writing an email.
Written isn’t the present participle. It’s the past participle of write.
Wrote
Incorrect: I am wrote a letter.
Correct: I wrote a letter.
Wrote is the simple past form, so it doesn’t function like writing.
Writing vs Written vs Writer
The words write, writing, written, and writer all come from the same root. However, they serve different grammatical purposes.
| Word | Word form | Main function | Example |
| write | Base verb | Describes the basic action | I write every day. |
| writing | Present participle / gerund | Describes an ongoing action or activity | She is writing now. |
| wrote | Simple past | Describes a completed past action | He wrote yesterday. |
| written | Past participle | Used with auxiliary verbs | She has written three pages. |
| writer | Noun | Names someone who writes | He is a professional writer. |
Understanding these forms helps prevent spelling and grammar mistakes at the same time.
For example, compare:
She is writing a book.
with:
She has written a book.
The first describes an ongoing activity. The second uses the past participle to describe a completed action.
Write + -ing: How to Form the Word
The formation of writing becomes straightforward when you break it into steps.
Start With the Base Verb
The base verb is:
write
Remove the Final E
Because write ends in a silent e, remove that letter before adding -ing.
This gives you:
writ
Add -ing
Now attach -ing:
writ + ing = writing
That’s the standard spelling.
The Three Forms to Avoid
Don’t accidentally create either of these:
- ❌ writeing
- ❌ writting
- ✅ writing
The first keeps an e that should disappear. The second doubles the t unnecessarily.
The third follows the correct spelling pattern.
More Words That Follow the Same Pattern
The spelling pattern in writing becomes clearer when you compare it with other verbs ending in silent e.
| Base verb | Correct -ing form |
| come | coming |
| love | loving |
| use | using |
| dance | dancing |
| close | closing |
| move | moving |
| save | saving |
| drive | driving |
| take | taking |
| give | giving |
The final e disappears in each case.
For example:
dance → dancing
not danceing.
Likewise:
drive → driving
not driveing.
And, of course:
write → writing
not writeing.
An Important Exception
English spelling rules often have exceptions. For example, some verbs ending in -ee retain their spelling when adding -ing.
Examples include:
- see → seeing
- agree → agreeing
- free → freeing
So the practical rule is useful, but it shouldn’t be treated as an absolute rule for every English verb.
Read More: Laid vs. Layed: Difference and Usage in English Grammar
Words That Actually Double the Final Consonant
Now consider the opposite pattern.
Some short verbs double their final consonant before adding -ing.
Examples include:
- run → running
- sit → sitting
- swim → swimming
- stop → stopping
- plan → planning
- begin → beginning
This happens because English spelling uses consonant doubling in particular circumstances.
Why “Writting” Looks Plausible
The visual similarity between writing and words such as sitting can create confusion.
Compare:
sit → sitting
write → writing
Both begin with a consonant and vowel sequence. Yet their spelling behavior differs.
The verb sit doubles its t. The verb write does not.
The key isn’t simply the final consonant. You have to consider the spelling and structure of the base verb.
Is “Writing” a Verb or a Noun?
Writing can be both a verb form and a noun. Its grammatical role depends on how you use it in a sentence.
Writing as a Verb
Consider:
She is writing a novel.
Here, writing forms part of the present progressive construction is writing.
Another example:
They were writing when the teacher entered.
The phrase were writing describes an action that was in progress.
Writing as a Noun
Now consider:
Writing can improve your ability to organize ideas.
Here, writing names an activity rather than describing an action currently taking place.
Another example is:
His writing is clear and persuasive.
In this sentence, writing refers to the quality or style of the written work.
This flexibility explains why writing appears in so many different contexts.
Writing in Different Contexts
The word writing appears across education, business, technology, publishing, communication, and everyday life.
Writing an Email
I’m writing an email to confirm tomorrow’s meeting.
The word describes the act of composing the message.
Writing an Essay
Students spend considerable time writing essays during college courses.
Here, writing refers to producing structured academic work.
Writing a Book
The author spent three years writing her first novel.
The word describes a long-term creative process.
Writing Notes
He was writing notes while listening to the presentation.
The action happens alongside another activity.
Writing Code
The programmer is writing code for a new application.
The word can describe producing computer instructions as text.
Writing a Report
The research team is writing a report based on the latest findings.
The action involves creating a formal document.
The important point is that writing isn’t limited to handwriting. Modern writing includes everything from text messages and reports to books, websites, documentation, and digital content.
How to Remember the Correct Spelling
The simplest memory trick is to remember the base word.
Use the “Remove E” Method
Think:
write → writing
The final e disappears.
Then remember:
Don’t double the t.
A useful mental check is:
If you can spell “write,” you can build “writing.”
Start with write, remove the silent e, and attach -ing.
Remember the Three Forms
Keep these three spellings side by side:
- write
- writing
- written
Each has a different grammatical role.
The most important spelling connection is:
write → writing
That relationship makes writting much easier to reject.
A Practical Case Study: Why “Writting” Happens
Imagine someone writes this sentence:
I am writting an article about spelling.
They probably aren’t confused about the meaning. They understand that the sentence describes an ongoing action.
The mistake comes from applying the wrong spelling pattern.
They may have learned words such as:
run → running
sit → sitting
stop → stopping
Their brain then recognizes write as another verb that might double its final consonant.
However, the correct transformation works differently:
write → writing
The final e disappears, while the t stays single.
This small distinction demonstrates an important principle in English spelling: patterns often depend on the structure of the original word rather than simply its final letter.
Writing vs Writting in Formal and Academic English
When you’re writing an email, essay, report, application, or professional document, use writing.
The incorrect spelling writting can distract readers and make otherwise polished content appear careless.
For example:
Correct:
I am writing to request additional information about the project.
Incorrect:
I am writting to request additional information about the project.
The meaning remains understandable in the second sentence. However, the spelling error is still noticeable.
This matters particularly in contexts where accuracy carries weight, such as academic assignments, resumes, professional emails, business reports, and published content.
Writing vs Writting: Common Questions
Is “writting” a word?
Writting is not the standard spelling of the -ing form of write. In ordinary modern English, you should use writing instead.
Why is writing spelled with one “t”?
Because the base verb write loses its final silent e before -ing is added.
The correct formation is:
write → writing
The t remains single.
Is “writeing” correct?
No. Writeing is also incorrect.
The final e in write doesn’t remain before the -ing ending.
Therefore:
write → writing
not writeing.
What is the past tense of write?
The simple past tense is wrote.
For example:
She wrote a letter yesterday.
The past participle is written.
For example:
She has written several letters.
What is the present participle of write?
The present participle is writing.
For example:
He is writing a report.
Does writing have one or two t’s?
Writing has one “t.”
The correct spelling is:
writing
Not:
writting
Can writting ever be used?
In standard English, writting should not replace writing. If you’re referring to the normal -ing form of write, the correct spelling is always writing.
Writing vs Writting: Final Comparison
The difference can be reduced to one simple spelling rule.
| Question | Answer |
| Correct spelling? | Writing |
| Incorrect spelling? | Writting |
| Base verb? | Write |
| What happens to the final e? | It is removed |
| Is the t doubled? | No |
| Correct formation? | write + ing → writing |
| Does writting have a different meaning? | No |
| Should writting appear in formal writing? | No |
The biggest trap is assuming that every verb doubles its final consonant before -ing. English doesn’t work that way.
Some verbs double:
run → running
Others drop a silent e:
write → writing
Once you recognize the difference, the correct spelling becomes much easier to remember.
FAQs :
1. Is “writing” or “writting” correct?
Writing is the correct spelling in standard English. “Writting” is a common misspelling and should not be used in formal or professional writing.
2. Why is “writting” incorrect?
“Writting” is incorrect because the verb write ends with a silent e. When adding -ing, the silent “e” is removed, producing writing.
3. What is the difference between writing and written?
Writing is the present participle or gerund of write, while written is the past participle. For example, “She is writing a letter” and “She has written a letter.”
4. Is “writting” a word in English?
No. Writting is not the standard English spelling. It is simply a spelling error that usually occurs when someone incorrectly doubles the final consonant.
5. How can I remember the correct spelling of writing?
Remember this simple rule: write + ing = writing. Drop the silent e before adding “-ing.” Thinking of the word as “write without e + ing” can make the spelling easier to remember.
Conclusion :
The difference between writing and writting is simple once you understand the spelling rule. Writing is always the correct form, while “writting” is a common misspelling. Since write loses its silent “e” before -ing, the correct spelling is writing. Remembering this rule will help you avoid mistakes and use the word confidently in academic, professional, and everyday English.
