It’s no secret that English spelling can be tricky, with words often sounding the same but having different spellings. One such example is found in the words “coming” and “comming”. Understanding these nuances in English spelling is crucial. This guide aims to simplify this topic for you.
Correct Spelling and Usage: “Coming”
The correct spelling of the word in question is “coming”. It represents the present participle form of the verb “come”, indicating movement or travel towards the speaker or alongside the speaker.
- Example: She is coming to the party tonight.
Understanding the Confusion
The perplexity often arises due to the general rule in English spelling that doubles the final consonant when a verb ends in a consonant and is preceded by a single vowel. However, this rule does not apply in the case of “coming”.
General Rule Vs Exception
The doubling of the final consonant usually occurs when the stress is on the final syllable. For example, “admit” becomes “admitting”, where the stress is on the last syllable and hence, doubles the consonant. In the case of the verb “come”, the stress is not on the last syllable, and therefore, the ‘m’ does not get doubled, rendering the correct spelling as “coming”, not “comming”.
Incorrect Spelling: “Comming”
The word “comming” is incorrect in English spelling. It does not imply any meaning and is considered a misspelling. The supposition that it could be an older or archaic version of “coming” lacks substantive evidence.
Mastery Over Exceptions
English, like any other language, has many exceptions to its rules. The distinction between “coming” and “comming” is one such example. Being aware of such exceptions enhances your overall communication clarity and proficiency in the English language.
Conclusions
Understanding the mechanics of English spelling could get overwhelming due to these kinds of exceptions. It’s important to remind ourselves that practice and consistent usage make it much simpler. Therefore, remember that the correct spelling is “coming”, and “comming” is a misspelling. This keeps your communication understandable and effective in the English language.