Travelling or Traveling | Correct Spelling & Examples
Travelling and traveling are both correct spellings of the present participle and gerund of the verb “travel,” which means “go from one place to another.”
The spelling depends on whether you use British English or American English.
- In British English, “travelling” with a double “l” is the most common.
- In American English, “traveling” with one “l” is standard.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Travelling/traveling solo allows for personal growth and self-discovery.
Paige documented her adventures in a travel blog wile she was travelling/traveling.
The difference in spelling is also true for similar verbs, such as labelling or labeling and modelling or modeling.
Travelling and traveling (adjectives)
Travelling or traveling can also function as an adjective to refer to something or someone that moves from one place to another.
Adrian and his boyfriend visited a travelling/traveling exhibit featuring rare artifacts.
The travelling/traveling photographer captured breathtaking landscapes.
Travelled or traveled
The spelling distinction also applies to the past tense form of the verb “travel.”
- In British English, “travelled” with a double “l” is the most common.
- In American English, “traveled” with one “l” is standard.
The explorers travelled/traveled through jugnles in search of new insect species.
After graduating from college, Sven travelled/traveled to Sweden to visit relatives.
Traveler or traveller
The same spelling difference applies to the related noun traveler or traveller, which refers to someone who is traveling or to someone who’s part of an itinerant community (e.g., Irish Travellers).
- In British English, “traveller” with a double “l” is the most common.
- In American English, “traveler” with one “l” is standard.
The plural noun is travelers or travellers.
he traveller/traveler filled her backpack with all the essentials for her journey.
As a seasoned traveller/traveler, Bianca has visited forty countries.
Main differences between American and British English
American and British English are very similar, but there are a few main differences in spelling. Five important differences are:
| Difference | Rule | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -or vs -our | In American English, many Latin-derived words end in -or.
In British English, these same words end in -our. |
Behavior or behaviour Labor or labour Favor or favour Favorite or favourite Color or colour Honor or honour |
| -er vs -re | In American English, some French, Latin, or Greek words end in -er.
In British English, these same words end in -re. |
Theater or theatre Center or centre Meter or metre Liter or litre Saber or sabre Fiber or fibre |
| -ize vs -ise | In American English, many Greek-derived words end in -yze or -ize.
In British English, these words end in -yse or -ise. |
Realize or realise Recognize or recognise Analyze or analyse Organisation or organization Minimize or minimise Finalize or finalise |
| -ed vs -t | In American English, most verbs are regular and form their past tense with the suffix -ed.
In British English, some of these verbs are irregular and form their past tense with the suffix -t. |
Learned or learnt Burned or burnt Kneeled or knelt Dreamed or dreamt Smelled or smelt Spelled or spelt |
| Single vs double consonant | In American English, many words are spelled with a single consonant.
In British English, these same words are spelled with a double consonant. |
Modeling or modelling Traveling or travelling Canceled or cancelled Labeled or labelled Buses or busses Focused or focussed |
Frequently asked questions about travelling or traveling
- Is it traveling or travelling in basketball?
-
Travelling and traveling are two spellings of the same verb.
In this context, it refers to a violation that takes place when a basketball player takes too many steps without dribbling the ball.
The spelling depends on the type of English you use:
- Travelling is standard in British English.
- Traveling is correct in American English.
It’s important to choose one and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
- Is it I will be traveling or travelling?
-
Travelling and traveling are two spellings of the same verb. The spelling depends on the type of English you use:
- I will be travelling is more common in British English.
- I will be traveling is more common in American English.
It’s important to choose one and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
- Is it traveling or travelling in AP style?
-
Travelling and traveling are two spellings of the same verb. The spelling depends on the type of English you use:
- I will be travelling is more common in British English.
- I will be traveling is more common in American English.
It’s important to choose one and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
