If you’ve ever paused mid-sentence wondering whether the correct spelling is combating or combatting, you’re not alone.
Writers across the world wrestle with this spelling choice because English spelling rules vary between regions.
This guide walks you through the logic behind both spellings, gives you clear rules you can rely on, and shows you how to choose the right form based on your audience.
You’ll learn how the root word combat behaves, why we sometimes double consonants, how American and British English differ, and how to avoid common mistakes.
You’ll walk away with practical tools you can use every time this question pops up.
Combating or Combatting: Understanding the Root Word “Combat”
You can’t understand the spelling until you understand the root. Combat works as both a noun and a verb, and that flexibility affects how its forms are built.
- As a noun, it means fighting or conflict.
Example: “Soldiers entered combat at dawn.” - As a verb, it means to fight against or take action to stop something.
Example: “We combat misinformation daily.”
The verb form is what matters most here because adding –ing to verbs is how English forms present participles and gerunds. That’s where the double-T debate shows up.
Why Both Spellings Exist
English spelling rules don’t always agree with each other. The biggest reason you see combating and combatting is because different English dialects follow different rules for:
- Consonant doubling
- Stress patterns
- Historical spelling conventions
The core rule is simple:
English doubles the final consonant when adding –ing if the stress falls on the last syllable.
Since COM-bat is stressed on the first syllable, the traditional rule suggests that no doubling is required.
That’s why American English uses “combating.”
Some British conventions take a different route, which brings us to the next point.
Combating in American English
American English follows streamlined spelling. It prefers shorter forms and avoids unnecessary consonant doubling. Because combat has first-syllable stress, American spelling rules say:
✔️ Correct in American English: combating
❌ Usually incorrect: combatting
Here are some examples:
- “The team is combating fraud with new technology.”
- “We’re combating rising costs through automation.”
- “Scientists are combating climate change with renewable energy.”
Why Americans don’t double the T
- The stress is on COM, not bat
- The ending consonant is not followed by a stressed vowel
- Adding –ing doesn’t change the stress
In short, American grammar sticks to the rule and keeps it simple.
Combatting in British English
British spelling places more value on traditional linguistic patterns and tends to double consonants more often, even in words with first-syllable stress.
That’s why in the UK, both spellings appear but combatting is more accepted in British contexts.
Acceptable in British English: combatting
Also acceptable: combating (used but less common)
Examples from British usage:
- “The government is combatting rising unemployment.”
- “They’re combatting food shortages through international aid.”
British spelling choices often reflect older pronunciation patterns and historical conventions rather than modern stress rules.
How Pronunciation Affects Spelling
English spelling sometimes (but not always) follows pronunciation. Words like:
- begin → beginning
- forget → forgetting
Double the final consonant because the stress falls on the last syllable.
But combat doesn’t follow that pattern.
Stress pattern:
- COM-bat → stress on first syllable
- Not com-BAT
Since the stress isn’t on the final syllable, doubling is technically unnecessary.
This is why American spelling rules treat combating as the standard.
British English sometimes doubles anyway because historical spelling rules weren’t always tied to stress patterns.
Understanding “Combating” and “Combatting” as Verb Forms
Whether you choose combating or combatting, both forms act as:
Present participles
Used in continuous tenses:
- “We are combating misinformation.”
Gerunds
Used as a noun:
- “Combating pollution requires global cooperation.”
The spelling doesn’t change the function. It only changes the regional preference.
Real-World Usage Examples
Writers often choose the spelling based on who will read their content.
American Context
- Combating inflation
- Combating misinformation
- Combating climate change
British Context
- Combatting corruption
- Combatting knife crime
- Combatting public health crises
Notice how the choice aligns with the audience and publication style rather than grammar alone.
Case Study: Combating Climate Change vs Combatting Climate Change
Let’s compare two scenarios:
US Environmental Research Paper
“Scientists are combating climate change by developing next-generation carbon capture systems.”
The spelling matches US academic style guides like APA, MLA, and AP.
UK Government Report
“The committee is committed to combatting climate change through sustainable transport reforms.”
UK institutions often follow the Oxford or Cambridge style guides, which allow the double-T form.
Lesson:
Your spelling should reflect the audience, the platform, and the expected regional style.
Historical Development of Both Spellings
English spelling wasn’t always standardized. Before the 20th century, writers spelled words more phonetically and inconsistently.
Key historical influences:
- British English preserved older spelling habits that often favored doubled consonants.
- American English pursued simplification movements encouraged by lexicographers like Noah Webster.
- As a result, many US spellings removed “unnecessary” letters.
This is why we see:
| British English | American English |
|---|---|
| travelling | traveling |
| cancelling | canceling |
| modelling | modeling |
| labelled | labeled |
| combatting | combating |
Once dictionaries and school systems standardized spelling, the difference solidified.
How to Choose the Correct Spelling
Here are the rules you can rely on when deciding between combating and combatting.
✔️ Choose combating if:
- Your audience is primarily American
- You write for global digital platforms
- You follow AP, APA, MLA, or Chicago style
- You want to match modern grammar rules
✔️ Choose combatting if:
- Your audience is British or Commonwealth-based
- You follow British publishing standards
- You’re writing for UK government, academic, or journalistic outlets
Bonus Tip
If you’re unsure, choose combating.
It’s more widely recognized internationally.
Common Consonant Doubling Rules
Here’s a simple cheat sheet to help you with similar words:
Double the final consonant when:
- The verb ends with consonant + vowel + consonant
- The final syllable is stressed
- Example: admit → admitting, begin → beginning
Do NOT double when:
- The stress is on the first syllable
- The final consonant is not part of a CVC pattern
- Example: open → opening, combat → combating
Table: Comparison of Consonant Doubling
| Word | Stress Pattern | US Spelling | UK Spelling |
|---|---|---|---|
| combat | COM-bat | combating | combatting / combating |
| travel | TRA-vel | traveling | travelling |
| cancel | CAN-cel | canceling | cancelling |
| benefit | BEN-e-fit | benefiting | benefitting (rare) |
Use this table as a quick reference whenever you’re unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is combating or combatting correct?
Both are correct, but combating is standard in American English while combatting appears in British English.
Why do some words double the final consonant before adding –ing?
English doubles final consonants when the stress is on the last syllable and the word ends in consonant-vowel-consonant.
Is “combatting” wrong in the US?
It’s not “wrong,” but it’s non-standard. American readers expect combating.
Which spelling should I use for international audiences?
Use combating, as it’s more widely recognized and accepted across regions.
Do British and American English differ in other doubled-consonant words?
Yes. Examples include traveling/travelling, canceling/cancelling, and modeling/modelling.
Conclusion
The difference between combating and combatting isn’t about meaning. It’s about regional spelling preferences, historical development, and grammar rules that don’t always match across English dialects.
If you write for US audiences, stick with combating.
If you write for UK audiences, combatting is acceptable.
When in doubt, choose the shorter and more globally recognized form: combating. It keeps your writing consistent and aligns with modern spelling conventions.
Aiden Brooks is an educational writer dedicated to simplifying grammar for learners of all levels. He creates clear, practical explanations that help students read, write, and understand English with confidence.
