When you’re writing in English and you pause over the question of “combating or combatting”, you’re not alone. This subtle spelling choice has puzzled many writers and editors. In this deep-dive blog post, we’ll explore the two forms, clarify which should be used (and when), dissect the grammar and usage behind each, and help you write with confidence. So: let’s talk about combating or combatting.
What the Words Mean combatting or combating
The root verb is “to combat”, meaning to fight against or struggle with something—for example, combatting disease or combating misinformation.
When we say “combating or combatting,” we’re really asking: which spelling of the present-participle or gerund form is correct for standard usage? They both mean the same action: the act of countering, fighting, or resisting something. The difference lies purely in spelling and convention—not in meaning.
Why the Spelling Variation Exists
English spelling is full of quirks. The doubling of consonants when adding suffixes like -ing often depends on stress, syllable count, and sometimes regional spelling norms.
The verb combat can be stressed either on the first syllable (“COM-bat”) or less commonly on the second (“com-BAT”). Because the stress is not always on the final syllable, the rule for doubling the final consonant is not consistent.
In British English, one sees the spelling “combatting” more often; in American English, “combating” is dominant.
Canadian usage explicitly notes that both forms are acceptable: combated or combatted, and combating or combatting.
So, the variation exists because of differences in spelling conventions across English dialects—and because the doubling rule is ambiguous in this case.
Which Form Is Correct Where combatting or combating
Here’s a practical breakdown:
- American English → Use “combating” (single ‘t’). It is the standard form in U.S. style guides.
- British English → Both are technically acceptable, but “combatting” (double ‘t’) is more common in UK-based publications.
- International & Mixed Audiences → You’ll often find both forms. To maintain consistency and clarity (and SEO) it’s best to pick one and stick with it throughout your document.
- Formal academic or professional writing → Unless your style guide specifically requires British spelling, favour combating to align with global usage and major dictionaries.
In short:
If you’re writing for an American or global audience, use combating.
If you’re writing for a British audience and your house style allows, you may use combatting.
Whichever you pick, be consistent.
Grammar Rules: When to Double the combatting or combating
Let’s delve into the typical English rule for doubling the final consonant when adding -ing, and why “combat → combating/combatting” is ambiguous.
Standard Doubling Rule (Simplified)
When a verb ends in a single consonant, preceded by a single vowel, and that vowel is stressed (in a single-syllable word), you generally double the consonant before adding -ing.
Examples:
- run → running
- sit → sitting
- bat → batting
Why “combat” is a grey area
- Combat has two syllables (“com-bat”).
- The stress in standard pronunciation is on the first syllable: COM-bat. Because the stress is not on the second syllable, the typical doubling rule suggests combating (single t).
- Some speakers, however, place secondary stress on the last syllable (com-BAT), which explains why combatting sometimes appears in British usage.
Practical takeaway
- If you adhere strictly to the general doubling rule: combating.
- If you are following British conventions that allow optional doubling: combatting is valid.
- The meaning remains the same in both cases.
Implications for Writing & SEO
How does the choice of “combating” vs “combatting” matter in practice—for writing, brand voice, and search engine optimisation (SEO)?
Writing clarity & professionalism
- Consistency is key. Mixing “combating” and “combatting” in the same document looks like a typo or oversight.
- For global readability and alignment with major dictionaries, combating is safer and more universally accepted.
- Using the less common variant (combatting) may be acceptable in UK-centric contexts, but it must be intentional and consistent.
SEO considerations
- Search engines recognise spelling variants, but combating has higher search volume globally.
- If you target “combatting” but your readers mostly search for “combating,” you could miss valuable traffic.
- When targeting the keyword [combatting or combating], use it naturally in your title, introduction, headings, and conclusion.
- Choose your spelling based on audience research and keyword analysis.
Brand style guide
- Decide on a house style: e.g., “We always use American English, so we write combating.”
- Document that choice so your entire content team remains consistent.
Practical Examples and Usage combatting or combating
Examples with combating
- We are combating misinformation across social media channels.
- The city launched a campaign aimed at combating rising crime rates.
- Strategies for combating cyber threats evolve every year.
Examples with combatting
- The British health service focuses on combatting obesity through public-health measures.
- The charity is dedicated to combatting poverty in rural areas.
- Many UK-based documents refer to combatting illegal logging.
Where you’ll see them
- U.S. government reports: usually combating.
- UK-government or Commonwealth-region documents: often combatting.
- Academic writing: generally combating, unless following UK spelling.
- Online blogs and media: both appear, depending on the writer’s origin.
Tips for Consistent Usage
To avoid confusion and maintain professional consistency:
- Choose your variant up front. Decide whether you will use “combating” or “combatting,” and stick to it throughout the piece.
- Set your dictionary language. In your writing software, select “English (US)” or “English (UK)” to ensure the correct variant is used.
- Check for mixed usage. Use Find & Replace to confirm all instances are consistent.
- Tailor to your audience. Use combatting for British audiences, combating for American or international ones.
- Include it in your style guide. Add a note clarifying which form your organization uses.
- Keep SEO consistent. Ensure your meta title, headings, and body all use the same spelling.
- Research your audience. Use keyword tools to see which form your target readers use more often.
Conclusion combatting or combating
When faced with the choice of combating or combatting, the best practice is to use combating—especially for American and global audiences—and ensure consistency throughout your writing.
The variant combatting is common in British English and not incorrect, but it’s less frequent globally. Grammar rules around consonant doubling explain why the variation exists: because combat is a two-syllable verb with stress ambiguity, the standard doubling rule is applied inconsistently.
Ultimately, whichever form you choose, your writing will be stronger if you pick one version, apply it consistently, and tailor it to your readers. For clarity, professionalism, and SEO-effectiveness, favour combating. But if your content is UK-focused and your style guide permits, combatting is perfectly valid—so long as it’s used consistently.
By understanding the nuance behind “combating or combatting,” you’ll write with confidence, avoid spelling distractions, and focus on what really matters: the clarity of your message.
FAQ combatting or combating
Q1. Is “combatting” ever wrong?
No. “Combatting” is not wrong, especially in British English. However, it’s less common globally.
Q2. Does the meaning differ between “combating” and “combatting”?
No. Both mean the same thing: fighting, resisting, or struggling against something. The difference is purely in spelling.
Q3. Will using “combatting” affect SEO or credibility?
Possibly. Since “combating” is searched and used more globally, “combatting” might have slightly lower visibility. However, as long as your usage is consistent and audience-specific, it’s fine.
Q4. What about “combated” vs “combatted”?
Both exist. American English prefers combated; British English sometimes uses combatted.
Q5. How should I choose which variant to use?
Consider your audience, brand voice, and region. If you write for an international or American audience, use combating. For British or Commonwealth readers, combatting is acceptable.
