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Benefiting or Benefitting – Which is Correct?

Benefitting or Benefitting – Which is Correct?

Have you ever found yourself in a state of utter confusion when it comes to the correct spelling of words? Well, you’re not alone! One such perplexing conundrum in the English language is the spelling of “benefit” in its gerund form. Is it “benefiting” or “benefitting”? Let’s learn this linguistic maze and determine which is the correct spelling.

The verb “benefit” is derived from the Latin word “beneficium” meaning “good deed.” It refers to an action that brings advantage or profit to someone. When we want to convert this verb into a gerund form, it becomes a noun that expresses the act of benefiting or receiving benefits.

Now, the spelling of the gerund form of “benefit” has been a subject of debate for quite some time. Traditionally, the correct spelling has been “benefiting” with just one ‘t’. This is in accordance with the general rule that when a verb ends in a consonant plus ‘e’, we usually drop the final ‘e’ before adding ‘-ing’ (e.g., bake – baking). Following this rule, we have “benefit” and its gerund form, “benefiting.”

However, in recent times, there has been a growing trend to spell the gerund form with two ‘t’s, giving us “benefitting.” This spelling seems to suggest a doubling of the consonant ‘t’, as seen in similar words like “submit – submitting” or “regret – regretting.” This trend has gained momentum to the extent that it is now considered an acceptable variant in certain regions and contexts.

So, which is the correct spelling then? The answer lies in the context and the region you find yourself in. In general, the one-‘t’ spelling, “benefiting,” is more widely accepted and recognized as the standard spelling. It is favored by British English and is the preferred form in formal writing, such as academic papers or professional documents.

On the other hand, the two-‘t’ spelling, “benefitting,” is more commonly found in informal contexts and is gaining popularity, particularly in American English. It might be seen in casual writing, social media posts, or informal blog articles. However, it is important to note that this spelling is still considered nonstandard in formal writing settings.

Now that we have explored the variations in spellings, let’s look at a few examples to understand how each spelling is used in practice:

1. The charity is benefiting greatly from the donations received.
2. I have been benefiting from my weekly yoga classes.
3. He is benefitting from the new policies implemented at his workplace.

In these examples, “benefiting” is the accepted and standard form used to describe the act of receiving advantages or profits.

However, if we were to use the two-‘t’ spelling, it would be as follows:

1. The campaign is benefitting thousands of underprivileged children.
2. She believes that she is benefitting from the extra hours of sleep.

In these instances, “benefitting” conveys the same meaning as “benefiting” but is considered nonstandard in formal writing settings.

In conclusion, the correct spelling of the gerund form of “benefit” is “benefiting” with one ‘t’, according to standard grammar rules. However, it is worth noting that the variant spelling of “benefitting” with two ‘t’s is gaining popularity, particularly in American English and informal contexts. The choice of spelling ultimately depends on the region and context in which it is used. So, whether it’s “benefiting” or “benefitting,” as long as your communication is clear and understood, you’re benefitting from utilizing the English language effectively!