When you’re writing professionally or even casually, choosing the correct spelling can make all the difference in clarity and credibility. One of the trickiest word choices revolves around “totalling” vs. “totaling”—two variants of the same verb that often confuse both native and non-native English speakers. So, which spelling should you use? The answer lies in understanding regional differences, spelling rules, and grammatical usage.
Understanding the Root Word: “Total”
Before diving into the variants, it’s essential to look at the verb “total.” As a verb, “total” means to add up or calculate the complete amount of something.
Examples:
- The accountant will total the receipts.
- Please total the number of attendees.
Grammatical Insight: Present Participle Form
When we add “-ing” to a verb to indicate an ongoing action, we get the present participle form. For regular verbs like “total,” this is usually straightforward—but as you’ll see, spelling can change depending on the variant of English used.
Totalling vs. Totaling — The Key Difference
At a glance, “totalling” and “totaling” may look like a typo of each other. In reality, they’re both correct but used in different regions.
- Totalling: Common in British English
- Totaling: Preferred in American English
The difference comes down to the doubling of the consonant ‘l’. British spelling rules often double the final consonant when a word ends in a single vowel + consonant and the stress falls on the final syllable.
| Variant | Region | Correct Spelling | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | British English | totalling | The invoices were totalling £2000. |
| US | American English | totaling | The expenses are totaling $3000. |
Similar Words with Regional Differences
- Travelling (UK) vs Traveling (US)
- Cancelling (UK) vs Canceling (US)
- Fuelled (UK) vs Fueled (US)
This is not a random quirk—it follows spelling conventions that evolved over time and were standardized differently in dictionaries like Oxford (UK) and Merriam-Webster (US).
Why the Confusion Exists
The confusion stems from three main factors:
1. Influence of Global Communication
With the internet and global business, people frequently encounter both spellings. You might see “totalling” in a UK news site and “totaling” in an American blog on the same day.
2. Educational Systems and Dictionaries
- In British schools, students are taught to double consonants before adding suffixes like “-ing” or “-ed.”
- In the US, the rule is more lenient, often skipping the double letter unless required for pronunciation.
3. Spelling Reform and Simplification
American English underwent intentional simplification efforts in the 19th century, spearheaded by Noah Webster, who aimed to make English spelling more phonetic and consistent.
“The spelling of words should follow pronunciation more closely.” — Noah Webster
This led to “color” instead of “colour,” and “totaling” instead of “totalling.”
Regional Usage Comparison
Let’s explore how these spellings appear in real-world usage. Here’s a quick comparison of regions where each is preferred:
Totalling
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Canada (in formal writing)
Totaling
- United States
- Canada (in informal/tech writing)
- Philippines (in American-influenced media)
Google Ngram Viewer Insights
Using Google Ngram, which tracks usage in books, we can see:
- “Totaling” dominates in American-published books.
- “Totalling” holds strong in UK publications.
Examples in Context
Using “Totalling” in a Sentence
- The damages were totalling more than £15,000 by the end of the quarter.
- The UK tax report listed the expenses as totalling nearly a million pounds.
Using “Totaling” in a Sentence
- The donations were totaling over $20,000 after the campaign.
- His medical bills were totaling up faster than expected.
These examples show that while the word functions identically in meaning, the spelling aligns with the intended audience.
Synonyms and Related Terms
If you want to avoid confusion altogether, consider using synonyms of “totalling” or “totaling.”
Synonyms:
- Adding up
- Summing
- Calculating
- Tabulating
- Counting up
- Running a total
Contextual note:
- “Adding up” is more casual.
- “Calculating” can imply more analytical processes.
- “Tabulating” is often used in formal data or survey contexts.
Grammar and Spelling Rules to Remember
Understanding a few basic spelling principles can help you choose the right form.
Consonant Doubling Rule
If a word ends in a single vowel + single consonant and the stress is on the last syllable, double the consonant before adding -ing (British English).
British English Rule:
- Travel → Travelling
- Cancel → Cancelling
- Total → Totalling
American English Rule:
- Drop the second “l” unless pronunciation requires it.
- Total → Totaling
Reference Table
| Rule | British English | American English |
|---|---|---|
| Final consonant after one vowel | Double it | Single (if unstressed) |
| Examples | Totalling, Travelling | Totaling, Traveling |
| Present participle consistency | Follow consonant rule | Simplified rule |
Quick Reference Table
| Region | Preferred Spelling | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Totalling | The fleet’s repairs were totalling £80,000. |
| US | Totaling | Totaling all receipts, the amount was $5,200. |
| Australia | Totalling | Totalling the votes took three hours. |
| Canada | Mixed usage | The tax forms were totaling CAD 3,000. |
Summary and Final Thoughts
So, what’s the final verdict in the totalling vs. totaling debate? Both are correct, but your choice should depend on your target audience and regional style guide.
- Writing for a US audience? Use totaling.
- Writing for the UK or Commonwealth? Stick with totalling.
When in doubt, check the dictionary appropriate to your audience: Oxford English Dictionary for British English, and Merriam-Webster for American English.
Maintain spelling consistency throughout your document to ensure readability and professionalism.