Benefitting or Benefiting? Which One is Correct?
When writing in English, certain spelling variations can cause confusion, particularly when it comes to words that involve doubling consonants. One such example is the difference between benefitting and benefiting. These two forms appear frequently, but which one is correct?
In this article, we will explore the difference between benefitting and benefiting, delve into the spelling rules that govern their usage, provide examples, and offer practice questions with answers to help clarify which form to use and when.
Table of Contents
Benefitting vs. Benefiting: The Key Difference
Both benefitting and benefiting are forms of the verb benefit, meaning to receive an advantage or to help someone. The confusion arises because English spelling conventions differ between British and American English, and the rules for doubling consonants can vary depending on the region and the structure of the word.
American English: Benefiting (One “T”)
In American English, the standard spelling is benefiting with a single “t”. This follows the general rule that when a word ends in a consonant and is preceded by an unstressed vowel, the final consonant is not doubled when adding suffixes like “-ing” or “-ed”.
- Examples:
- The company is benefiting from the new policy.
- Students are benefiting from the additional study resources.
- Is she benefiting from the exercise program?
In these examples, benefiting is used with a single “t”, which is the correct form in American English.
British English: Benefitting (Double “T”)
In British English, the standard spelling can be benefitting with a double “t”. This follows a different convention where, in some cases, the final consonant is doubled when the word ends in a consonant preceded by a vowel, even if the preceding syllable is unstressed.
- Examples:
- The charity is benefitting from the donations.
- Many people are benefitting from the government’s new healthcare plan.
- Are children benefitting from the new curriculum?
In these examples, benefitting is used with a double “t”, which is acceptable in British English.
Why the Difference?
The difference between benefitting and benefiting is mainly due to regional spelling conventions and the rules for doubling consonants.
- American English: Generally avoids doubling consonants when the last syllable is unstressed. The result is benefiting.
- British English: Sometimes doubles the final consonant even when the last syllable is unstressed, resulting in benefitting.
In both forms, the pronunciation remains the same, but the spelling changes based on the convention you are following.
Verb Doubling Rules: When to Double the Final Consonant
To better understand why benefitting and benefiting differ, it’s important to review the general rules for doubling consonants when adding suffixes in English. These rules can be complex, but they generally follow this pattern:
1. If the final syllable is stressed, double the consonant.
When the last syllable of a word is stressed and ends in a consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) pattern, you double the final consonant before adding a suffix like “-ing” or “-ed”.
- Examples:
- Begin → Beginning (The stress is on the last syllable: be-gin).
- Regret → Regretting (The stress is on the last syllable: re-gret).
2. If the final syllable is unstressed, do not double the consonant (in American English).
When the last syllable of a word is not stressed, and the word ends in a CVC pattern, you do not double the final consonant before adding a suffix in American English.
- Examples:
- Benefit → Benefiting (The stress is on the first syllable: ben-e-fit).
- Target → Targeting (The stress is on the first syllable: tar-get).
3. British English sometimes doubles the consonant even if the last syllable is unstressed.
In some cases, British English doubles consonants even when the final syllable is not stressed, especially for verbs ending in “t” or “l”.
- Examples:
- Travel → Travelling (British English prefers the double “l”).
- Benefit → Benefitting (British English sometimes doubles the “t”).
4. One-syllable words typically double the final consonant.
For one-syllable words that end in a CVC pattern, the final consonant is usually doubled before adding a suffix.
- Examples:
- Sit → Sitting.
- Run → Running.
Usage Guidelines: When to Use Benefiting or Benefitting
In American English:
Use benefiting with a single “t”. This is the standard and correct spelling in the U.S., and it aligns with the general rule that consonants are not doubled when the final syllable is unstressed.
- Examples:
- The new marketing strategy is benefiting the company.
- The patients are benefiting from the advanced treatments.
In British English:
Use benefitting with a double “t” if you’re writing for an audience accustomed to British English conventions. This form may appear in British publications, though benefiting with one “t” is also widely accepted in British English.
- Examples:
- The local economy is benefitting from tourism.
- Benefitting from the new regulations, small businesses have been able to grow.
In Informal or Global English:
Because of the influence of American English on global communications, many writers around the world now use benefiting with a single “t” regardless of whether they are in the U.S. or the U.K. If you are unsure which form to use, benefiting is likely to be understood and accepted in most contexts.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
1. Mixing British and American spelling conventions:
- Incorrect:
The team is benefitting from the new policy (in American English). - Correct:
The team is benefiting from the new policy (in American English). - Explanation: In American English, the single “t” form is correct.
2. Doubling the “t” unnecessarily in American English:
- Incorrect:
The students are benefitting from the new curriculum (in American English). - Correct:
The students are benefiting from the new curriculum (in American English). - Explanation: In American English, stick to the single “t” form unless the final syllable is stressed.
3. Using the single “t” form in formal British English:
- Incorrect:
The charity is benefiting from the increased donations (in formal British English). - Correct:
The charity is benefitting from the increased donations (in formal British English). - Explanation: While both forms are accepted in British English, the double “t” form can be preferred in formal British contexts.
Examples of Correct Usage
Let’s go over more examples to reinforce the distinction between benefitting and benefiting.
American English (Benefiting):
- The education system is benefiting from government reforms.
- Who is benefiting from these new policies?
- The non-profit organization is benefiting from the generous donations.
British English (Benefitting):
- Many businesses are benefitting from the tax cuts introduced last year.
- Are the students benefitting from the new teaching methods?
- The community is benefitting from the newly opened park.
Practice Questions
Let’s test your understanding with some practice questions.
Question 1:
Which sentence is correct in American English?
- a) The employees are benefitting from the new benefits package.
- b) The employees are benefiting from the new benefits package.
Answer:
b) The employees are benefiting from the new benefits package.
Explanation: In American English, the single “t” form benefiting is correct.
Question 2:
Fill in the blank with the correct form (benefitting or benefiting):
- The company is _ from the recent tax changes in the U.K.
Answer:
The company is benefitting from the recent tax changes in the U.K.
Explanation: In British English, benefitting with a double “t” is acceptable.
Question 3:
True or False:
In American English, benefitting is the correct form.
Answer:
False.
Explanation: In American English, the correct form is benefiting with a single “t”.
Question 4:
Which form is more acceptable in global English?
- a) Benefiting
- b) Benefitting
Answer:
a) Benefiting
Explanation: Due to the global influence of American English, benefiting with a single “t” is more widely accepted.
Question 5:
Fill in the blank with the correct form (benefitting or benefiting):
- The new policy is _ the local economy in the U.S.
Answer:
The new policy is benefiting the local economy in the U.S.
Explanation: In American English, the single “t” form benefiting is correct.
Conclusion
While both benefitting and benefiting are grammatically correct depending on the regional spelling convention, it’s essential to understand the context in which each should be used. In American English, benefiting (with one “t”) is the standard form, while in British English, benefitting (with two “t”s) is often preferred. However, with the increasing influence of American English globally, benefiting with a single “t” is becoming more common, even in British contexts.
By following the spelling conventions of your intended audience and paying attention to the rules for doubling consonants, you can ensure that you use the correct form of the verb benefit in your writing.
