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Perfomance or Performance – Which is Correct?

So, the question at hand is whether “perfomance” or “performance” is the correct spelling. Well, the correct spelling is actually “performance.” Yes, with an “r” after the “o.” This is a common mistake that many people make, and it’s understandable why. After all, the pronunciation of the word does not include an “r” sound, so it’s easy to assume that the spelling should reflect that.

Now, let me explain why “performance” is the correct spelling. English, as you may know, is a tricky language with many exceptions and irregularities. In this case, the word “performance” follows a pattern that can be observed in many other words.

In English, when you have a word ending in a vowel followed by a consonant (such as “o” followed by an “r”), the final consonant is often doubled before adding a suffix. This is known as the “doubling rule.” For example, in the word “run,” when you want to add the suffix “-ing” to make it “running,” you double the “n.” Similarly, in the case of “performance,” the “r” is doubled before adding the suffix “-ance.”

Let’s take a look at some other examples that follow this pattern:
– Refer -> Reference
– Prefer -> Preference
– Transfer -> Transferable

In each of these cases, the final consonant is doubled before adding the suffix “-ance” or “-ence.” It’s a way to maintain the pronunciation of the root word while still following the spelling rules of English.

Now, you may be wondering why “perfomance” is an incorrect spelling. Well, simply put, it doesn’t follow the spelling pattern of English. The doubling rule is not applied, and as a result, it deviates from the standard spelling convention.

It’s important to remember that English spelling can be inconsistent, and there are exceptions to almost every rule. But in the case of “performance,” the common and accepted spelling is with an “r” after the “o.”

To summarize, “performance” is the correct spelling. The “r” after the “o” is necessary to maintain the pronunciation of the word and to follow the spelling patterns of English. So, the next time you come across this word, remember to include that sneaky “r” to showcase your mastery of English spelling.