Have you ever typed a sentence such as “We are combating climate change” and then wondered whether you should have written “combatting” instead? You are not alone. The difference between combating vs combatting can be surprisingly confusing because both spellings look natural, both are built from the verb combat, and both appear in published English.
If you are writing an email, school assignment, business report, website article, or professional document, it is reasonable to want to know which version is actually correct. The good news is that you do not have to choose between a correct and an incorrect word here.
Both “combating” and “combatting” are accepted spellings of the present participle of “combat.” Merriam-Webster specifically lists combating and combatting as forms of the verb combat.
So why are there two spellings? Which one should you use in American English? Does the extra t change the meaning?
In this guide, I will explain the difference clearly, show you practical examples, and give you an easy way to remember the rule. En Route vs In Route | Through vs Thru | Time-Frame vs Timeframe
Quick Answer: Combating vs Combatting
Both “combating” and “combatting” are correct. They are two accepted spellings of the present participle and gerund form of the verb combat, meaning to fight against, oppose, or work to reduce something.
For example:
- The organization is combating poverty.
- The organization is combatting poverty.
Both sentences have the same meaning. Merriam-Webster gives combating or combatting as the present participle forms of combat.
However, “combating” is generally the more familiar and straightforward choice for many American English readers, so it may be preferable when you want the spelling that looks most familiar in everyday professional writing.
Understanding the Basics of Combating vs Combatting
The easiest way to understand combating vs combatting is to start with the base verb: combat.
The verb combat means to fight against something, battle something, or work to reduce or eliminate a problem. It can refer to physical conflict, but it is also commonly used for abstract problems such as poverty, crime, disease, corruption, pollution, and misinformation.
When you add -ing, you get the present participle:
- combat → combating
- combat → combatting
The two forms have the same basic meaning.
Comparison Table
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example | Correct/Incorrect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| combat | Base verb | To fight or oppose | We must combat crime. | Correct |
| combating | Present participle/gerund | Fighting or opposing | They are combating crime. | Correct |
| combatting | Present participle/gerund | Fighting or opposing | They are combatting crime. | Correct |
| combated | Past tense/past participle | Fought or opposed | They combated corruption. | Correct |
| combatted | Alternative past form | Fought or opposed | They combatted corruption. | Correct |
The important point is that combatting is not simply a spelling mistake. It is recognized as an alternative form. Merriam-Webster lists both combating and combatting, as well as both combated and combatted.
What Does “Combating” Mean?
Combating is the present participle and gerund form of combat. It means actively fighting against, opposing, resisting, or trying to reduce something.
For example:
The city is combating air pollution.
Here, combating means the city is taking action against air pollution.
Another example:
Scientists are combating the spread of the disease.
In this sentence, scientists are actively working to stop or reduce the spread of disease.
Sentence Breakdown
Consider this sentence:
The government is combating corruption.
- The government = subject
- is = helping verb
- combating = present participle
- corruption = object
The phrase is combating creates the present progressive tense.
You can also use combating as a gerund:
Combating misinformation requires careful research.
Here, combating functions as a noun-like form and serves as the subject of the sentence.
What Does “Combatting” Mean?
Combatting has the same basic meaning as combating.
It is also the present participle or gerund form of combat.
For example:
The organization is combatting hunger.
This means:
The organization is fighting against or working to reduce hunger.
You could replace combatting with combating without changing the meaning:
The organization is combating hunger.
Both sentences are grammatically acceptable.
Merriam-Webster explicitly lists combating or combatting as the present participle forms of combat.
That makes this an important distinction from many spelling questions. With words such as receive and recieve, one spelling is standard and the other is wrong. With combating vs combatting, both forms are recognized.
Why Are There Two Spellings?
The confusion comes largely from English spelling patterns.
The base word is combat, which ends in a consonant-vowel-consonant sequence:
c-o-m-b-a-t
When many English verbs receive an -ing ending, the final consonant may be doubled.
For example:
- run → running
- sit → sitting
- stop → stopping
This pattern may lead writers to assume:
combat → combatting
That reasoning is understandable.
At the same time, combating has become a well-established spelling. It does not double the final t.
The result is two accepted forms:
- combating
- combatting
Neither changes the underlying meaning.
Is “Combating” More Common?
In many forms of contemporary English, combating is the spelling readers are more likely to encounter, especially in general American professional writing.
You will frequently see phrases such as:
- combating crime
- combating poverty
- combating inflation
- combating climate change
- combating misinformation
- combating disease
- combating corruption
- combating fraud
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary examples also use combating in sentences involving problems such as poverty and stress.
That does not make combatting wrong.
Instead, it means that combating may feel more familiar to many readers.
If you are writing for a broad US audience and simply want the most familiar-looking option, combating is a practical choice.
When Should You Use “Combating”?
Use combating when you need the -ing form of combat and want a spelling that is widely familiar to American readers.
Example 1: Public Health
Researchers are combating the spread of infectious diseases.
Combating means actively fighting or trying to reduce the spread.
Example 2: Business
The company is combating online fraud with stronger security measures.
The company is taking action against fraud.
Example 3: Education
Schools are combating bullying through awareness programs.
The schools are working to reduce bullying.
Example 4: Environment
Communities are combating plastic pollution.
The communities are working against plastic pollution.
Example 5: Technology
Developers are combating cybersecurity threats with advanced tools.
The developers are actively responding to threats.
In each example, combating describes an ongoing effort.
When Can You Use “Combatting”?
You can use combatting in the same situations.
For example:
The government is combatting tax fraud.
This is grammatically acceptable.
You could also write:
The government is combating tax fraud.
The meaning does not change.
Similarly:
We are combatting misinformation online.
and:
We are combating misinformation online.
Both are correct.
The main difference is spelling preference rather than meaning.
Combating vs Combatting in American English
For a US English audience, combating is usually the safest stylistic choice if you want maximum familiarity.
That does not mean combatting should be marked as a spelling error.
A teacher, editor, employer, or grammar checker may have a preferred style. If a particular publication or organization has a house style, follow that style consistently.
For general writing, however, you can confidently recognize both forms.
A Simple Recommendation
If you are unsure, use:
combating
It is familiar, concise, and widely used.
But if you encounter:
combatting
do not automatically assume that the writer made a spelling mistake.
The Meaning of “Combat”
To fully understand combating vs combatting, it helps to understand the base word.
As a verb, combat means to fight, battle, or struggle against something. It can refer to literal fighting, but modern English often uses it for nonphysical problems.
For example:
Soldiers combat the enemy.
This describes physical conflict.
But:
Doctors combat disease.
This does not mean doctors physically fight disease. It means they work to prevent, control, or overcome it.
Merriam-Webster defines combat as fighting with or battling and also as struggling against something, especially striving to reduce or eliminate it.
That is why combat appears in many formal expressions.
Common Phrases With “Combating”
You will often encounter combating in formal and professional writing.
Here are some common combinations:
Combating Crime
Police departments are combating organized crime.
Combating Poverty
Community programs are combating poverty.
Combating Disease
Researchers are combating infectious diseases.
Combating Climate Change
Governments are developing policies for combating climate change.
Combating Fraud
Banks are investing in technology for combating financial fraud.
Combating Misinformation
Journalists play an important role in combating misinformation.
Combating Corruption
Strong institutions are essential for combating corruption.
Combating Addiction
Public health programs focus on combating addiction.
These phrases demonstrate how broadly combat can be used.
Grammar Rules Behind the Two Forms
The grammatical foundation is simple.
Combating and combatting are both forms of the verb combat.
Merriam-Webster identifies both as present participles.
A present participle is an -ing form that can be used in progressive verb constructions and other grammatical structures.
For example:
She is running.
Here, running is a present participle.
Likewise:
She is combating corruption.
Here, combating is the present participle.
You can use combating or combatting after forms of be:
- is combating
- are combating
- was combating
- were combating
Or:
- is combatting
- are combatting
- was combatting
- were combatting
The grammatical structure remains the same.
Is “Combatting” a Spelling Mistake?
No.
This is one of the most important answers in this article.
Although some style guides, teachers, or automated grammar tools may prefer combating, combatting is not inherently an error.
Merriam-Webster explicitly recognizes it.
Therefore, this sentence:
The organization is combatting poverty.
should not automatically be corrected to:
The organization is combating poverty.
You may prefer the second sentence stylistically, but the first is not grammatically wrong.
Why Do People Think “Combatting” Is Wrong?
There are several reasons.
1. “Combating” Is More Familiar
Many readers see combating more frequently. Because of this, combatting can look unusual.
But unfamiliar does not necessarily mean incorrect.
2. Spelling Checkers Can Be Inconsistent
Some software may favor one spelling over another depending on its dictionary or language settings.
An automated suggestion is not always a complete grammar authority.
3. Writers Apply Different Doubling Rules
People know words such as running and stopping, so they may naturally write combatting.
Others learn combating as the standard spelling and assume the doubled form is wrong.
4. Different Dictionaries May Have Different Preferences
English dictionaries sometimes record alternative spellings even when one form is more common.
That is exactly what happens here.
Common Mistakes With Combating vs Combatting
The biggest mistake is not choosing one form over the other.
The bigger mistake is believing that one of them must always be wrong.
Mistake 1: Automatically Correcting “Combatting”
Incorrect assumption:
“Combatting is always misspelled.”
Better understanding:
“Combatting is an accepted alternative spelling of the present participle of combat.”
Mistake 2: Assuming Double Letters Always Apply
English spelling rules are not perfectly predictable.
Just because some verbs double their final consonant does not mean every similar-looking verb must follow the same pattern.
Mistake 3: Confusing Spelling Preference With Grammar
If a company prefers combating, that is a style choice.
It does not automatically make combatting grammatically incorrect.
Similar Grammar and Spelling Confusions
The combating vs combatting question belongs to a larger group of English word confusions.
| Confusion | Correct Forms | Main Difference |
|---|---|---|
| it’s vs its | Both correct | Contraction vs possessive |
| you’re vs your | Both correct | “You are” vs possession |
| they’re vs their | Both correct | “They are” vs possession |
| affect vs effect | Both correct | Usually verb vs noun |
| then vs than | Both correct | Time/order vs comparison |
| advice vs advise | Both correct | Noun vs verb |
| lose vs loose | Both correct | Different meanings |
| combating vs combatting | Both correct | Alternative spellings |
The key lesson is simple: context matters.
Why Do These Mistakes Happen?
People make spelling mistakes for perfectly ordinary reasons.
Fast Typing
When people type quickly, they often write what sounds right without checking every letter.
Autocorrect
Autocorrect can sometimes change words unexpectedly or reinforce one spelling preference.
Lack of Knowledge
If someone has never encountered combatting, they may assume it is a typo.
Regional and Style Differences
English is used around the world, and spelling preferences can differ between varieties and publications.
Visual Familiarity
Our brains become accustomed to words we see frequently. A less familiar spelling can look wrong even when a dictionary recognizes it.
Usage in Everyday Conversation
In everyday speech, you cannot hear the difference between combating and combatting.
Both are pronounced as forms of combat with an -ing ending.
For example:
We are combating the problem.
and:
We are combatting the problem.
Sound essentially the same in normal speech.
That means this is primarily a written English issue.
When speaking, your audience will understand the meaning from the context.
Usage in Professional Writing
Professional writing requires consistency and clarity.
If you are preparing:
- a business report
- an email
- a proposal
- a presentation
- a research paper
- a company policy
- a formal article
you can use either spelling if your style guide allows both.
However, combating may be the more practical choice for a broad US audience because it is highly familiar.
For example:
Our department is combating workplace fraud through stronger internal controls.
This looks natural and professional.
Usage in Academic Writing
Academic writers should prioritize their institution’s or publication’s style guide.
If no specific preference exists, combating is a clear and widely recognizable option.
For example:
Researchers are developing new strategies for combating antibiotic resistance.
The spelling is straightforward and unlikely to distract readers.
If a source uses combatting, you should not change the original spelling merely because you personally prefer combating, especially when accurately quoting or discussing that source.
Usage in Creative Writing
Creative writers have more flexibility.
A novelist might write:
She spent years combating the fear that had followed her.
Another writer might use:
He was combatting every obstacle that stood between him and his goal.
Both can work.
In creative writing, consistency and voice matter more than choosing between these two accepted spellings.
Usage in Social Media and Texting
On social media, people often write quickly.
You might see:
We need to start combating misinformation.
Or:
We need to start combatting misinformation.
Both communicate the same message.
For casual posts, either form is acceptable. If you are representing a company or professional organization, however, it is better to follow your organization’s preferred spelling.
Case Study: A Workplace Email
Imagine that a manager sends this email:
Our team is combating fraudulent activity by reviewing unusual transactions more carefully.
This is clear and professional.
Now imagine another manager writes:
Our team is combatting fraudulent activity by reviewing unusual transactions more carefully.
The second sentence is also grammatically acceptable.
What Should an Editor Do?
An editor should first check the organization’s style guide.
If the company consistently uses combating, the editor can standardize the document to that spelling.
If no style preference exists, there is no grammatical need to reject combatting.
The key is consistency.
Practical Lesson
When editing professional content:
- Check the preferred dictionary or style guide.
- Check consistency throughout the document.
- Do not label combatting as automatically incorrect.
- Use combating if you want the more familiar spelling for a broad US audience.
Why It Matters
At first glance, one extra t may seem like a tiny issue.
In professional writing, however, small spelling questions can affect reader confidence.
Clarity in Communication
Correct spelling helps readers focus on your message instead of wondering whether a word is a typo.
Professionalism
Consistent spelling makes business documents look polished.
Digital Communication
Online writing is often read quickly. Familiar spellings can reduce unnecessary distractions.
Editorial Consistency
A document that switches randomly between combating and combatting may look less carefully edited.
A useful principle is:
Good writing is not only about being correct; it is also about being clear and consistent.
That principle is especially helpful when two accepted forms exist.
Special Exception: Style Preferences and Variants
There is no special meaning difference between combating and combatting.
The important exception is style preference.
A dictionary may accept both forms while a particular publication prefers one.
For example, a newspaper, university, company, or website might establish a house style that says:
Use “combating” throughout our content.
If that is the organization’s rule, follow it.
This does not mean that combatting is universally wrong. It simply means the organization has chosen one accepted form for consistency.
Merriam-Webster’s entry is especially useful here because it lists both forms rather than treating one as an error.
A Simple Test Tip
Here is an easy way to handle combating vs combatting.
Test Tip
Replace the word with fighting against.
For example:
The organization is combating poverty.
Replace it:
The organization is fighting against poverty.
The meaning works.
Now:
The organization is combatting poverty.
Replace it:
The organization is fighting against poverty.
The meaning also works.
That tells you that both spellings are serving the same grammatical purpose.
Another Test
Ask:
Am I using the -ing form of the verb “combat”?
If yes, both combating and combatting are recognized forms.
Quick Recap Checklist
| Question | If Yes → Use |
|---|---|
| Do you need the -ing form of combat? | Combating or combatting |
| Are you writing for a broad US audience? | Combating is a familiar choice |
| Does your style guide prefer one spelling? | Follow the style guide |
| Does “combatting” appear in a source? | Do not assume it is wrong |
| Do both forms have the same meaning? | Yes |
| Is “combatting” automatically incorrect? | No |
Practice Example 1
Scientists are ________ antibiotic resistance.
Both work:
Scientists are combating antibiotic resistance.
Scientists are combatting antibiotic resistance.
Practice Example 2
The city is ________ rising crime rates.
Both are possible:
The city is combating rising crime rates.
The city is combatting rising crime rates.
Practice Example 3
The organization focuses on ________ poverty.
Again, both forms work:
The organization focuses on combating poverty.
The organization focuses on combatting poverty.
Combating vs Combatting: Easy Memory Trick
If you want a simple rule to remember, use this:
One meaning, two accepted spellings.
Think:
combat → combating / combatting
The extra t does not create a new meaning.
If you want the spelling that is especially familiar in general US writing, choose combating.
If you see combatting, do not automatically reach for the red pen. It is also an accepted form.
FAQs
1. Is “combating” or “combatting” correct?
Both are correct. Combating and combatting are accepted present participle forms of the verb combat. They mean the same thing: fighting against, opposing, or trying to reduce something. Merriam-Webster lists both forms.
2. Is “combatting” wrong in American English?
No. Combatting is not inherently wrong in American English. It is an accepted alternative spelling. However, combating may be the more familiar choice for many American readers.
3. Which is more common: combating or combatting?
Combating is generally the more familiar spelling, especially in general professional writing. However, combatting is also a recognized form and should not automatically be treated as a spelling error.
4. Does combating mean the same thing as combatting?
Yes. They have the same meaning. Both are forms of combat and can mean fighting against, opposing, resisting, or working to reduce a problem.
5. Should I use “combating” in formal writing?
If you are writing for a broad US audience and do not have a specific style requirement, combating is a practical choice because it is familiar and widely recognized. If your organization’s style guide prefers combatting, however, follow that preference.
6. Why does combat sometimes become “combatting”?
English spelling has multiple patterns for forming -ing words, and combat has developed both combating and combatting as accepted forms. The doubled t in combatting does not change the word’s meaning. Merriam-Webster records both spellings.
Conclusion
The confusion surrounding combating vs combatting is understandable because the two words differ by only one letter. But the answer is actually straightforward: both spellings are correct and have the same meaning.
Combating is the more familiar choice for many readers, particularly in general US English, while combatting is also a legitimate alternative spelling. Neither changes the meaning of the sentence.
So if you write:
The government is combating corruption.
you are correct.
And if you write:
The government is combatting corruption.
you are also correct.
The best approach is to consider your audience, follow any applicable style guide, and remain consistent throughout your writing. Most importantly, do not mistake an unfamiliar spelling for an incorrect one.
When you remember “one meaning, two accepted spellings,” the combating vs combatting question becomes much easier.
When both spellings are correct, choose the one that best fits your audience—and write with confidence.
I’m Mason Reed, a grammar researcher at Gramfino, where I explore grammar rules and common English mistakes.
I turn my research into clear explanations and practical examples that readers can easily follow.
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