Totalling or Totaling: Which Spelling to Use?

Understanding regional variations in spelling can be crucial, especially when writing for a global audience. One such spelling conundrum is between “totalling” and “totaling”. While both words carry the same meaning—adding numbers to reach a sum—the choice between them depends on the rules of British and American English. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the differences, delve into the history behind these variations, and provide helpful tips for using each correctly.

What Do “Totalling” and “Totaling” Mean?

Totalling and totaling serve as present participles of the verb “total”. Essentially, they refer to the process of adding things up or calculating a sum.

Definitions of Totalling and Totaling

• Totalling Meaning: In British English, the word “totalling” with a double “l” is used to describe the act of summing up values. It is common in various contexts, from accounting to informal settings, like “She spent hours totalling the day’s sales.”
• Totaling Meaning: In American English, the preferred spelling is “totaling,” which drops the extra “l.” Despite the difference in spelling, the meaning remains the same. For example, “The accountant is totaling expenses for the annual report.”

Term	Definition	Example
Totalling	Adding up or calculating a sum	“The teacher is totalling students’ scores.”
Totaling	The same as totalling but in American English	“He’s totaling the invoices for the month.”

Why Does This Difference Exist?

The difference between totalling and totaling traces back to the spelling conventions of British English vs. American English. This distinction often confuses writers who encounter both versions. Let’s explore these variations in greater detail.

Totalling vs. Totaling: Which Spelling to Use ,What’s the Difference?

The primary distinction between “totalling” and “totaling” lies in their spelling variations. It’s all about where you are and which version of English you follow.

British English vs. American English Spelling Differences

• Totalling (with a double “l”) is used in British English. It follows a pattern where verbs ending in a single vowel followed by “l” double the “l” before adding “-ing” (e.g., “travelling,” “cancelled”).
• Totaling (with a single “l”) is standard in American English, aligning with a general trend of simplified spelling. Here, verbs do not double the “l” before adding “-ing” (e.g., “traveling,” “canceled”).

Word Pair	British English Example	American English Example
Totalling/Totaling	“He is totalling his expenses.”	“She is totaling her savings.”
Travelling/Traveling	“We’re travelling to London.”	“We’re traveling to New York.”
Cancelled/Canceled	“The meeting was cancelled.”	“The meeting was canceled.”

Grammar Rules for Totalling and Totaling

For those seeking grammar rules to remember:

• In British English, double the “l” when a verb ends with a vowel before the final “l” (e.g., “totalling”).
• In American English, keep the single “l” when adding “-ing” (e.g., “totaling”).

The History Behind Spelling Variations

Understanding why totalling has double L while totaling has a single L requires a quick trip back in time.

Simplification Movement in American English

In the early 20th century, American English underwent a spelling reform aimed at simplifying word forms. This effort led to changes in how words like “travelling” and “totalling” were spelled, often dropping double consonants.

For example:

• Noah Webster, a key figure in American spelling reform, believed that simplifying words like “totaling” would make them easier to learn and more logical.

Example of Spelling Simplification

Consider the word “travelling”:

• In British English, it retains the double “l” to indicate continuity (e.g., “She’s travelling to Paris”).
• In American English, it’s simplified to “traveling,” in keeping with the pattern of dropping redundant letters.

Why the Confusion Between “Totalling” and “Totaling”: Which Spelling to Use?

The confusion between these two forms often arises due to global communication and the influence of American media and literature on English speakers worldwide. As a result, many encounter both forms and might struggle to choose the right one for their context.

Common Misuses

Writers may inadvertently mix up these spellings:

• Using totalling in a context that follows American English standards can be perceived as incorrect.
• Similarly, totaling in British publications might stand out as an error.

Examples Highlighting Common Mistakes

• Incorrect: “She is totalling up the expenses for her New York office.” (Used in an American context)
• Correct: “She is totaling up the expenses for her New York office.”
• Incorrect: “He is totaling the costs for his London branch.” (Used in a British context)
• Correct: “He is totalling the costs for his London branch.”

How to Remember the Correct Spelling

Memorizing which spelling to use can save you from confusion. Here are some handy tips:

Memory Tricks for Choosing the Right Form

• Think of “totalling” like “shilling”: Both have double “l” and relate to British English.
• Remember American minimalism: Words like “totaling” are simpler in the US, with fewer letters.

Decision Flowchart

Here’s a simple flowchart to help you decide:

Question	Yes	No
Are you writing for a British audience?	Use “totalling” with double “l.”	Use “totaling” with single “l.”
Are you writing for an American audience?	Use “totaling” with single “l.”	Use “totalling” with double “l.”

Synonyms of “Totalling” and “Totaling”

While totalling and totaling are common, you might want to avoid repetition in your writing. Here are some suitable synonyms:

• Adding up: “She is adding up the scores.”
• Summing: “The accountant is summing the expenses.”
• Calculating totals: “He’s calculating totals for the quarterly report.”
• Tallying: “They are tallying votes for the election.”

Using synonyms can diversify your content, keeping it engaging without compromising on clarity.

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Using “Totalling” and “Totaling” in Sentences

Practical examples help clarify the usage of each form. Here are real-life sentences to illustrate the correct application:

Examples of Totalling

10 Example Sentences Using “Totalling”

Here ten examples are given

1. She spent the afternoon totalling her travel expenses to submit to her boss.
2. The auditor was totalling the company’s financial statements to ensure accuracy.
3. After totalling all the items in her shopping cart, she realized she had overspent.
4. The report listed the donations totalling over $5,000 for the charity.
5. The accountant is totalling the figures to prepare the annual budget.
6. He finished totalling the votes before announcing the winner of the election.
7. The teacher is totalling the test scores to calculate the class average.
8. After totalling the hours worked, he discovered he had put in 60 hours that week.
9. She was busy totalling up the receipts for the month.
10. The contractor is totalling the project costs to provide a final estimate.

• “The manager spent hours totalling the revenue from each department.”
• “Her expenses were totalling more than she had budgeted.”

Examples of Totaling

10 Example Sentences Using “Totaling”

Here ten examples are given

1. The accountant is currently totaling the expenses for the year.
2. Totaling all the miles driven, she realized she had traveled across three states.
3. The damage to the car ended up totaling over $3,000.
4. He spent the afternoon totaling the invoices for tax purposes.
5. The project costs are totaling more than the initial estimate.
6. She was totaling the points to determine the winner of the game.
7. After totaling the donations, they reached their fundraising goal.
8. The manager is totaling sales from each department for the quarterly report.
9. The expenses for the renovation are totaling higher than expected.
10. Totaling up all the sales, they achieved a record-breaking month for the store.

• “The team is totaling the points earned in each game.”
• “He is totaling the costs for the renovation project.”

Quick Reference Chart

Context	British English Example	American English Example
Business	“They are totalling expenses.”	“They are totaling expenses.”
Personal Budgeting	“She’s totalling her monthly spendings.”	“She’s totaling her monthly spendings.”
Academic	“The researcher is totalling data.”	“The researcher is totaling data.”

Common Spelling Mistakes to Avoid

When dealing with spelling variations in English, it’s easy to slip up. Here are a few common mistakes and how to correct them:

• Mistaking totalling for totaling in American publications.
• Writing totaling in a context where totalling would be more appropriate.

How Spell Checkers Can Mislead You

Many spell checkers default to American English, which means they might mark totalling as incorrect even if it’s suitable for British readers. Adjust your settings to match your intended audience!

Conclusion: final look

When it comes to totalling vs. totaling: Which Spelling to Use, the main point to remember is your audience. Use totalling for British readers and totaling for American audiences. Understanding these spelling differences in English will make your writing more precise and help you connect better with your readers. Whether you’re adding up numbers or following a specific style guide, choosing the right form matters. So, next time you face this decision, you’ll know exactly which word to use.

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This guide offers a thorough exploration of the topic, helping you navigate the complexities of British vs American English spelling differences. By following these tips, you can ensure your writing stays clear, accurate, and audience-appropriate.

Sources:

Cambridge Dictionary (TOTALLING | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary),

Grammarist (Totaled/totaling vs. totalled/totalling)

Thesaurus.com (54 Synonyms & Antonyms for TOTALING)