You are typing an important report for work, adding up the final numbers, and you suddenly pause. Do you write that the expenses are “totaling” a specific amount, or “totalling” that amount?
English is notorious for its confusing spelling rules, and words ending in the letter “L” often cause the most frustration. Depending on the spell checker you use, one of these variations might trigger a squiggly red line, leaving you wondering if you made a grammatical mistake.
The good news is that both spellings are technically correct. The bad news is that you still need to know which one to use based on your audience. The correct choice depends entirely on where you live and which variation of English you are expected to follow.
Understanding the differences between American and British English spelling conventions will help you write with confidence. This guide will explain exactly when to use each spelling, the grammar rules behind the double consonant, and how to apply these rules to similar words.
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The Short Answer: Location Matters
The distinction between “totaling” and “totalling” comes down to geography. English spelling diverged slightly during the 19th century, largely thanks to Noah Webster, the creator of the first American dictionary. Webster wanted American English to have simpler, more phonetic spellings compared to British English.
American English Prefers Totaling
If you are writing for an audience in the United States, “totaling” with a single “L” is the standard spelling. American publishers, style guides, and dictionaries uniformly endorse the single consonant. If you submit a document in the US with the word “totalling,” most editors and software programs will flag it as a spelling error.
British English Prefers Totalling
Outside of the United States, “totalling” with a double “L” reigns supreme. This includes the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and most other Commonwealth nations. Canada usually follows the British spelling as well, though Canadian English occasionally adopts American habits due to geographic proximity. If you are communicating with an international audience outside of the US, the double “L” is the safest choice.
The Grammar Rule Behind the Spelling
To understand why these two spellings exist, you need to look at the rules for doubling consonants when adding a suffix (like “-ing” or “-ed”) to a word.
The Stress Rule for Doubling Consonants
In general English grammar, you double the final consonant of a word before adding a suffix if the word ends in a vowel-consonant pattern and the stress falls on the final syllable.
Take the word “admit.” The stress is on the second syllable (ad-MIT). Because the final syllable is stressed, you double the “T” to create “admitting.”
Now look at the word “total.” The stress is on the first syllable (TO-tal). According to the standard rule, because the final syllable is unstressed, you do not double the final consonant. This logical application of the rule is exactly why Noah Webster advocated for “totaling” in American English.
The British Exception for Words Ending in “L”
British English plays by slightly different rules. In the UK and other Commonwealth countries, the rule dictates that if a word ends in a single vowel followed by an “L,” you always double the “L” when adding a suffix that begins with a vowel. This happens regardless of where the syllable stress falls.
Because “total” ends in an “A” followed by an “L,” British English requires the double consonant to form “totalling.”
Examples of Totaling and Totalling in Context
Seeing the words used in standard sentences can help reinforce which version belongs in your writing. Here are a few ways to use both variations correctly.
Using Totaling (United States)
- The grocery bill is totaling more than I expected this week.
- Her medical expenses are totaling thousands of dollars.
- The cars involved in the accident are completely totaling the intersection.
- We have three projects totaling fifty hours of required labor.
Using Totalling (UK, Australia, Canada)
- The damages are totalling over a million pounds.
- The student’s marks are totalling perfectly for the semester.
- They are totalling up the votes from the local election.
- The company reported quarterly profits totalling three million dollars.
Other Words That Follow This Rule
The “totaling vs. totalling” debate is not an isolated incident. The exact same geographic rules apply to a whole family of words ending in “L.” Knowing this pattern will save you time and frustration in the future.
Here are a few common examples that follow the exact same American vs. British divide:
- Travel: Traveling (US) vs. Travelling (UK)
- Cancel: Canceling (US) vs. Cancelling (UK)
- Label: Labeling (US) vs. Labelling (UK)
- Fuel: Fueling (US) vs. Fuelling (UK)
- Signal: Signaling (US) vs. Signalling (UK)
If you can remember that American English prefers the single “L” for unstressed final syllables, you will naturally know how to spell all of these related words.
Frequently Asked Questions About Totaling and Totalling
Is it totaled or totalled?
The rule for adding “-ed” is exactly the same as adding “-ing.” In the United States, use “totaled” (e.g., “He totaled his car”). In the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries, use “totalled” (e.g., “She totalled the final receipts”).
Can I use totalling in American English?
While some American readers might not even notice the double “L,” it is technically considered a spelling error in US formatting. Major style guides like the AP Stylebook and the Chicago Manual of Style specify “totaling.” If you are writing for an American school or business, stick to the single “L.”
Does Microsoft Word flag totalling as an error?
Microsoft Word and other word processors like Google Docs adjust their spell checks based on your language settings. If your document language is set to “English (United States),” the program will underline “totalling” in red. If you change your language settings to “English (United Kingdom),” it will accept “totalling” and flag “totaling” instead. Always ensure your software matches your target audience.
Conclusion
Language is rarely perfectly logical, but understanding the history and rules behind words makes writing much easier. The difference between “totaling” and “totalling” simply reflects a historical divergence in how different countries approach spelling.
If you are writing for an American audience, keep things simple and use a single “L” to write “totaling.” If your readers are in the UK, Australia, or Canada, double up that consonant for “totalling.”
Take a moment to check the language settings on your word processor today. Ensuring your tools are set to the correct regional variation of English is the easiest way to catch these subtle spelling differences before you hit publish.