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Travelling or Traveling: What’s the Difference?

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Are you taking a trip anytime soon? If so, where will you be traveling? Or is it travelling? How exactly do you spell this word?

The two words traveling and travelling can cause some confusion for those writers not exactly sure when to use which one. Are they just variations of the same word? Do they have different meanings? Do they function differently in a sentence?

In today’s post, I want to address all of these questions so you will never again wonder or second-guess yourself, “Is it travelling or traveling?”

The Difference Between Travelling and Traveling

Travelling and traveling are both verbs, obviously. To travel is to go from one place to another, as on a trip or journey. For example,

• When the traveling pub is taken off a trailer and put together in a lot near Milwaukee and California avenues, it will boast 400 feet of bar space. – Chicago Sun Times
• They travelled 5,000 miles from Myanmar to place a plaque in Seagrim’s native village of Whissonsett in eastern England. – Washington Post
• Under that analysis, completion of the mobility plan would result in about 35 million miles per day being traveled on L.A. surface streets in 2035. – L.A. Times

You’re probably still thinking, “Okay, I still don’t know how to use these words.”

The difference between traveling vs. travelling isn’t much of a difference at all, really.

In fact, the difference between them is entirely dialectal. There is no demonstrable difference of sense or function, meaning both words can be used interchangeably.

When to Use Travelling

Even though the only thing separating travelling and traveling is a dialectical difference, it is still important to keep your audience in mind when picking which word to use and when.

Travelling (with two Ls) is the preferred spelling in British English and is used much more frequently than is traveling . The graph below shows the use of travelling vs. traveling (as a percentage of all words used) in British English books, journals, and magazines from 1800 to 2008.

As you can see, travelling (with two Ls) clearly dominates in British English, being used at a rate of about 4:1.

Now, if we look at the same two words over the same time period but limit our search to American print sources, the results completely flip.

There’s actually a bigger gap between traveling and travelling in American English than there is in British English.

When to Use Traveling

As indicated in the above graph, traveled (with one L) is the preferred spelling in American English.

I’ve discussed the reason for the popularity of many shortened spellings in American English in other posts ( cancelled/canceled comes to mind ), but the basic reason stems back to Noah Webster himself.

He is usually credited with the shortening of many American spellings because in his original 1898 dictionary, he sought to simplify many British spellings he saw as unnecessary. This is where the British-American divide over words like color/colour came from.

Anyway, the point is, if you are writing to an American audience, traveling (with one L) is your best choice.

Remember the Difference – Traveling or Travelling?

One simple way to keep track of these two words is that the shorter spelling is American. If you can keep in mind that, generally speaking, British English favors (favours) the longer spelling of words, you will be able to remember the difference between these words.

It is also worthwhile to note that all of the distinctions in this post apply equally to travelled vs. traveled, traveled vs. travelled, traveller vs. traveler, traveler vs. traveller, etc.

Summary – Traveling vs. Travelling

Is it traveling or travelling? That depends on where you are writing and who is your audience.

• Travelling is the preferred spelling in British English.
• Traveling is the preferred spelling in American English.

Whether you’re talking about travelled or traveled or traveller or traveler, these same preferences still apply.

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• UK vs. US English
• Travelling or Traveling | Difference & Example Sentences

Travelling or Traveling | Difference & Example Sentences

Published on August 11, 2022 by Eoghan Ryan . Revised on August 22, 2023.

Travelling and traveling are two different spellings of the present participle of the verb “travel” (and the identical gerund ) meaning “move from one place to another” (typically over a long distance). The spelling tends to vary based on whether you’re writing UK or US English :

• In UK English , “travelling” (double “l”) is standard.
• In US English , “traveling” (one “l”) is correct.

If you’re travelling / traveling   through Central Europe, you should visit Berlin.

Karen likes travelling / traveling   by train because she enjoys watching the landscape go by.

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Table of contents

Travelling and traveling as adjectives, travelled or traveled, other interesting language articles.

Travelling and traveling can also be used as adjectives to describe someone or something that moves from place to place.

Check US or UK English

Use the best grammar checker available to check that you're writing consistently in one variant of English.

Travelled and traveled are the past forms of the verb “travel.” The same spelling distinction applies to these past forms and to the nouns traveller and traveler :

• In UK English , “travelled” and “traveller” are standard.
• In US English , “traveled” and “traveler” are more common.

If you want to know more about commonly confused words , definitions , and differences between US and UK spellings , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

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Is it ‘traveling’ or ‘travelling’?

What to Know When it comes to spelling the forms of the verb travel , traveled and traveling are more common in the U.S., and travelled and travelling are dominant everywhere else.

Spelling is typically clear-cut in modern English: forty unfailingly betrays four ; the sweet treat after dinner is spelled dessert , not desert .

But some words have two forms that appear often enough in edited text to make it clear that something else is going on. And so it is with forms of the verb travel : traveled and travelled , and traveling and travelling .

It might have a different spelling wherever you're going.

One or Two L 's?

If you look at where the single l forms originate and where the double l forms originate a pattern emerges: in the United States, traveled and traveling predominate, and everywhere else travelled and travelling are preferred.

The reason mostly comes down to one man we at Merriam-Webster hold especially dear: Noah Webster. Our lexicographical father (brothers George and Charles Merriam bought the rights to Noah Webster’s 1841 dictionary after Webster died) was a great believer in spelling reform and wanted English spelling to make more sense—and if the English of his homeland had more logic to it than its British parent, so much the better. He decided that travel needed only one l in its past and present participle forms.

Webster’s logic is the reason behind the spelling of canceled and cancelled as well: in the U.S., they have just one l , but elsewhere two l ’s are the norm.

American English Words that Use 2 L 's

Webster didn’t think all double l ’s needed to be reduced to one, however: in cases in which the accent, or emphasis, is on the syllable with the l , two l ’s are preserved: expelled and expelling ; controlled and controlling ; patrolled and patrolling .

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'Travelling' or 'Traveling': What's the Difference Between the Two?

'Travelling' or 'Traveling': two different ways to spell the same word. But which one is correct? The answer is actually pretty simple. Read on to find out.

In short, 'travelling' is the British English spelling, and 'traveling' is the American English spelling.

The Difference Between 'Travelling' or 'Traveling'

Firstly, let's define 'traveling'. Although I'm sure you're familiar with this word, I want to make sure we've covered all our bases. 'Traveling' is the participle tense of the verb 'to travel.' To travel is to take a journey somewhere, sometimes for the purposes of a holiday, other times it might be for a work trip or to visit family.

Back in 1828, Noah Webster, an American lexicographer, published his famous dictionary, "An American Dictionary of the English Language," hoping to standardize American speech. The man was famous for preferring words to be written the way they sounded. That makes sense, right?

So he spent many years editing the spellings of words that came from British English in order to make them look more like they sound. One of the many changes he made was to remove extra letters where he deemed them to be unnecessary. 'Traveling,' 'traveler,' and 'traveled' were among those. Some other words where the spelling was cut short include:

These words all have alternative spellings in British English that are either longer or don't look exactly as the word is pronounced. Take 'mom,' for instance. The Brits spell it 'mum,' which is pretty close to how you pronounce the word, but the spelling with the 'o' is closer to the American accent.

Remember the Difference - 'Traveling' or 'Travelling'?

As a result of his editing, Mr. Webster cut out a lot of unnecessary 'l's. But not all of them. In words where the pronunciation emphasis is on the syllable with the 'l,' two 'l's remain. For example:

• controlling

But do you want to know the simplest way to know which spelling the American one is? When looking at the two same words with different spellings, the American one is usually the shorter one. It's true! Let's look at earlier examples as evidence of this:

• American spelling: color British spelling: colour
• American spelling: canceled British spelling: cancelled
• American spelling: totaled British spelling: totalled

And while this logic doesn't apply to the examples 'center' and 'mom', the logic of spelling the word as it's pronounced does.

Therefore, whether to use 'traveling' or 'travelling' depends on your audience. Are you writing for an American audience? Then use 'traveling.' Are you writing for a British or other Commonwealth audience (Canada, Australia...)? Use 'travelling.'

'Traveling' and 'Travelling': Examples

Now that we're clear on the meaning of the word and which spelling to use when it's time to look at some examples of the word used in a sentence. I'll only use the spelling 'traveling,' but bear in mind that both spellings are interchangeable. I'll also cite some examples that use 'traveled' and 'traveler.'

I haven't seen him in ages; he's been traveling since last year. Last year we traveled to Costa Rica for our honeymoon. A true traveler never arrives. Traveling is one of my favorite pastimes. Have you ever traveled solo? I met a bunch of travelers last night; they're touring Central America.

Concluding Thoughts on 'Traveling'

So there you have it. The difference between 'traveling' and 'travelling' is simply based on where you are based or where your audience is based. Other than that, they mean the exact same thing. So don't sweat it if you're unsure which to use; in any case, both are acceptable. But a good way to remember is that the American spelling is usually the shorter one.

To learn about more confusing words , including American vs. British words, visit our blog . We've covered many commonly misspelled and misunderstood words and will continue to cover many more!

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Grammarflex

“Traveling” or “Travelling” (Which Spelling is Correct?)

• February 12, 2024

Traveling or travelling?

The verb travel , which is to “go from one place to another, especially over a long distance”, uses different spellings based on UK English and US English:

• British English spells “ travelling ” with the double “L”.
• American English spells “ traveling ” with one “L”.

The same goes with other verb forms of “travel” in the past tense i.e., traveled and travelled ; or as a noun, traveler and traveller .

Other words (like traveling or travelling)

Word forms of travel.

Other verb/noun forms also conform to the same spelling rules based on US/UK English:

Sentences with traveling/traveling (present participle)

The travelling / traveling public have had enough of fare increases.

She grew up in a travelling / traveling family.

The birds are travelling / traveling south for the winter.

She enjoys travelling / traveling around Europe.

Sentences with traveled/travelled (past tense)

They travelled / traveled cross-country from New York to California.

The pain travelled / traveled down his back.

They travelled / traveled on the bus to and from work together.

Synonyms of travel

• peregrinate (to travel especially on foot)

Phrases with travel

• travel light
• travel-sick/travel sickness
• travel agent or agency

Origin of the word travel

Etymonline on travel :

Late 14c., “to journey,” from travailen (1300) “to make a journey,” originally “to toil, labor”. Replaced Old English faran . Related: Traveled ; traveling . Traveled (adj.) “having made journeys, experienced in travel” is from early 15c. Traveling salesman is attested from 1885. —Etymonline, travel.

Read more about US English vs. UK English

• Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of humor.” Online Etymology Dictionary, Accessed 12 February, 2024.
• “Peregrinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peregrinate . Accessed 12 Feb. 2024.

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• Traveling or Travelling? Which is the Correct Spelling?
• Learn English
• James Prior
• No Comments
• Updated February 5, 2024

Traveling or travelling? Which is the correct spelling?!

Traveling is one of the most popular activities in the world. It can take many forms, from going on a weekend getaway to taking a luxurious vacation abroad. Despite its popularity, there is still some confusion surrounding the correct spelling of the word.

As DoTEFL is a website dedicated to teaching English and traveling via TEFL , it only feels right that we clear up any confusion about the correct spelling of traveling (or should I say travelling?). After all, it’s a question that gets asked a lot and spelling is an important part of English grammar.

So, before you start writing your packing list and set off on your travels, let’s explore the difference between traveling and travelling and look at which spelling should be used.

So, what’s the answer?

Table of Contents

Traveling Vs Travelling?

Traveling or Travelling? When it comes to the English language, there can be quite a bit of confusion in regards to spelling. While “traveling” is the preferred spelling in American English, “travelling” is the preferred spelling in British English.

Firstly, the spelling of both words is correct and they are both the same word! However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when deciding which one to use. 

The first difference between traveling and travelling is geographical location. American English typically uses “traveling” while British English opts for “travelling”. So, if you’re an American writer, “traveling” will generally be your go-to choice; if you’re British, or if you live in one of the other commonwealth countries , then “travelling” should do the trick!

However, you also need to keep in mind your audience. If you’re writing for an American audience it would make sense to use “traveling”. Whereas if you’re writing for an English audience you’d want to opt for “travelling”. In my case I am an English writer but our website has a larger audience in the U.S. so I have used the spelling of traveling with one ‘l’ here.

Where is Traveling Used?

Traveling is used when the author is writing in American English or writing for an U.S. audience.

Where is Travelling Used?

Travelling is used when the author is writing in British English. However, the audience isn’t just confined to Britain here.

There are 54 countries in the Commonwealth, which is an association of countries across the world historically connected to the British Empire. They all use the British English spelling of “travelling” with two ‘L’s. This includes Commonwealth Countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand, plus all the other commonwealth countries.

So, if you travel across the U.S. border into Canada you go from being a traveler to a traveller!

Can you use a mix of traveling and travelling?

It’s best to avoid using a mixture of the two spellings, even if your audience is unclear. This is because you should always be consistent with your grammar throughout a piece of writing.

You should also be aware of this if you ever use a grammar checker to go over your work. For example, if you write in British English but the grammar checker is set to American English, you may find yourself inadvertently making corrections from “travelling” to “traveling”. If this does happen, make sure that you don’t accidentally only change half by mistake!

Should you change travelling to traveling?

The answer to this question comes down to your audience. You have to write according to what your audience understands and needs. If they are a British English audience you should keep “travelling”. If the audience uses American English then you’ll want to consider changing it to “traveling”.

On this site we predominantly use the spelling “travelling”. However, if there are articles that are mainly read by our audience in the UK we will use “travelling”.

For whatever piece of writing your doing, the key thing is to choose a spelling and stick to it. Consistency is the key.

And, if you want to avoid the traveling Vs travelling conundrum altogether you can always get creative. For example, instead of writing “I like travelling”, you could write “I like to travel”. Or, instead of “I’m a traveler”, you can just use “I travel”.

Traveler or Traveller?

The same rules apply for the spellings of traveler or traveller and traveled or travelled. If you’re using American spelling go with one ‘L’ but if you’re writing for countries that use British English conventions go with two ‘L’s!

Conclusion: The Road Less Traveled?

When determining whether to use “traveling” or “travelling” it is important to consider your audience and understand that language conventions may vary from region to region. “Traveling” is more commonly used in the United States, but in nearly all other English-speaking countries, the spelling of “travelling” is preferred.

With this in mind, you should write for the needs of your audience. Where you are from should be secondary to where your audience is from, as it they who you serve and seek to provide value to.

What about you, do you use traveling or travelling? What were you taught in school? Let us know in the comments and continue to enjoy your travels!

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Travelling or Traveling – British vs. American English

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Consistency is crucial in academic writing , particularly when crafting a research paper , dissertation , or academic essay . This involves maintaining a consistent vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and punctuation to ensure a cohesive, clear, and easy-to-understand flow throughout the paper. Many students have difficulties differentiating between British English vs. American English such as whether to use “travelling” or “traveling”. Learn how to distinguish these two in this article.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 “Travelling” or “traveling”
• 2 “Travelling” or “traveling” in the past tense
• 3 “Travelling” or “traveling” as a noun

“Travelling” or “traveling”

“Travelling” and “traveling” both define the past tense of the verb “to travel.” To travel means to move or journey from one place to another, typically over a distance. It involves going to a different location, either domestically or internationally, for various purposes, such as leisure, business, exploration, or personal reasons. Traveling often involves transportation, such as by car, train, plane, or boat, to reach the desired destination. The spelling may differ depending on whether you’re using British or American English. In British English, it’s always spelled with a double “l”. However, in American English, both spellings are acceptable, though using a single “l” is more prevalent.

British English

American English

travelling (not recommended)

In general, British English tends to use more doubled consonants in certain verb forms, such as adding an extra “l” in words like “travel.” This is because British English obeys the rule of doubling the consonant when adding suffixes like “-ing” or “-ed” to certain verbs. American English, on the other hand, often maintains the base spelling of the verb.

Examples of using “travelling” and “traveling”

The following examples will exemplify the difference in spelling of the word “travelling/traveling” in British and American English.

• I enjoy travelling to new countries.
• She is currently travelling through Europe.
• Our family loves travelling during summer vacations.

• I enjoy traveling /traveling to new countries.
• She is currently traveling /traveling through Europe.
• Our family loves traveling /traveling during summer vacations.

“Travelling” or “traveling” in the past tense

When using the verb “travel” in the past tense, the exact spelling applies to British English vs. American English, as with the “-ing” form. British English is written with a double “l” and in American English, both ways are possible but a single “l” is more common.

• British English: “Travelled”
• American English: “Traveled” or “travelled”

The following examples will explain the usage of the word “travelled/traveled” in both languages.

• Last year, I travelled to Italy.
• She travelled throughout Europe during her gap year.
• We travelled by train to visit our relatives.

• Last year, I traveled /travelled to Italy.
• She traveled /travelled throughout Europe during her gap year.
• We traveled /travelled by train to visit our relatives.

“Travelling” or “traveling” as a noun

The word “travel” refers to the noun form of the verb “to travel.” The word “travel” is spelled the same way in both British and American English, with only one “l”.

The following examples will show you the usage of the noun “travel”.

• I love exploring places through travel.
• Business travel can be exciting.
• She has a passion for adventure travel .

How do you spell “travelling”?

The correct spelling differs between American English and British English:

• The correct spelling in American English is: “traveling” with one “l”.
• The correct spelling in British English is: “travelling” with a double “l”.

How do you spell “travelling” in British English?

In British English, the correct spelling is “travelling” .

How do you spell “traveling” in American English?

In American English, the correct spellings are “traveling” and “travelling”, but the spelling with one “l” is far more common, while the one with the double “l” is not recommended .

How do you spell “travelled”?

The correct spelling in American English is “traveled” with one “l” and in British English “travelled” with a double “l”. While it is possible to use the British spelling for American English, it is not recommended .

How do you spell “travel”?

The standard spelling in British and American English is “travel”. A version with a double “l” is not possible .

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Is it Traveling or Travelling—Correct Spelling Guide

What is the correct way to spell “traveling?” Can you spell it “travelling” if you want?

To travel the world and visit other countries is often seen as an enjoyable way to spend one’s free time.

But how do you spell “traveling,” the verb form of “travel”?

Don’t search anywhere else; here is everything you need to know about the term “travel.”

“Traveling” or “travelling”

The difference between the two terms is your audience.

That said, “traveling” is the preferred way to spell the word in the United States.

You will find this correct spelling in the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

However, if your readers are located in the United Kingdom in the Commonwealth , the term is spelled “travelling.”

The subtle distinction of one “L” versus two simply depends on what country you are writing in/for.

Therefore , “travelers” and “traveled” are the U.S. forms, while “travellers” and “travelled” are the UK forms.

No matter the country, the present tense form of the word “travel” is spelled the same and does not require a second “L” at the end.

Root word: travel

Travel can serve as a verb or a noun .

As an intransitive verb , “travel” is defined as “To go on a trip or tour to a destination.”

Similarly, as a transitive verb, “travel” is defined as “to journey through or over.”

The definition for “travel” in its noun form is “a journey, especially to a distance or unfamiliar place.”

Be aware that the noun version of the word is often used as a plural.

Travelers definition

Another term that comes from “travel” is “traveler” or, in its plural version, “travelers.”

That said, a traveler is commonly referred to as “one that goes on a trip or journey.”

Essentially, “traveler” can be used to describe a person who is taking a trip by car, train, plane, etc.

If subjects in a sentence are going on a journey through different countries or simply to the grocery store, they are “travelers.”

What type of word is “traveling?”

Verbs ending in “-ing” are either present participles or gerunds .

The two styles of words look the same, but their functions in a sentence are different.

Further , present participles can be used in all continuous verb formations ( past , present, future, etc.).

With verbs ending in “-ing,” the helping verb will tell the reader the tense (acting as a link) while the present participles remain unchanged.

Take the below examples, for instance:

• “The boy is watching the trains.”
• “Shelia was waiting for her survey.”
• “My family will be coming to Canada in July.”
• “The group would be moving to Germany if the cost wasn’t an issue.”
• “I would have been picking out my free ice cream flavor by now.”

Intransitive vs. transitive verbs

According to the Merriam-Webster definition, “traveling” can act as both a transitive and intransitive verb .

Transitive verbs will always have a noun that receives the action described by the verb; this noun is called the direct object .

“Tommy lifts the weight.”

In the previous example, “lifts” is the verb and “the weight” is the object receiving the verb’s action.

Therefore, “lifts” is a transitive verb.

On the other hand, intransitive verbs never have a direct or indirect object.

There is no object that receives an intransitive verb’s action.

“The group walks quickly to their destination.”

In this case, the verb is “walks,” and the modifying phrase is “quickly to their destination.”

As you will notice, no object receives the action that “walks” describes.

When to use traveling in writing

Recall that verbs ending in “-ing,” like “traveling,” can be used in the present, future, and past tense.

This present participles rely on the helping verb to indicate the tense of the sentence.

So, you can use the term to say the same thing, just in different tenses .

“He is traveling abroad” can also begin the following ways and still be grammatically correct.

• “He was…”
• “He will be…”
• “He would be…”
• “He would have been…”

You use this term to describe a subject who is, will be, was on their way to a different area than where they came from.

Examples of traveling in a sentence

If you have the correct spelling of the term down but are having a tough time using the term in a sentence, take a look at these sentences.

Using travel/traveling as a verb

• “If traveling were free, most people would take several trips a year.”
• “After traveling all day, all Lucy wanted to do was rest.”
• “I would like to travel and not get lost this time.”
• “Mark was only traveling for fun and leisure, not for work.”
• “All my life, I wanted to travel the world for fun, and now I finally get to!”
• “Before I travel, I must obtain a fishing license.”

Using travel as a noun

“At this time, international travel is banned for safety reasons.”

“He wanted to obtain a free travel license from the site, but the page wouldn’t load.”

“Safety was the top priority for Lisa after she would arrive at her travel excursion.”

“My travels demanded that I use services associated with the train to see my sister.”

“All her life, Katy was never oriented with foreign travel.”

“The new social movement talked about the future of crime and travel in the country.”

“I’d like to use this travel to connect with as many people as possible.”

Why is traveling commonly misspelled?

Why does “traveling” have two different ways of spelling the term?

Most of this is credited to Noah Webster , one link of the famous dictionary we frequently use today.

As a lexicographer and linguist, Webster influenced American English more than most people realize.

That said, he preferred the shorter version of most words that had multiple different ways of spelling.

After including the shorter version of terms in his dictionary, these words became dominant in the United States.

The rest of the English-speaking countries out there preferred the longer spellings of terms.

That said, countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK spell the term “travelling” with two “L”s instead of one.

How to remember which word to use

In the case of the present participle version of “travel,” remember that shorter is better.

“Travelling” is the proper spelling in British English.

So, if that is your audience, use that version.

However, American English demands the spelling “traveling.”

External links to sources

• Present participles: The -ing forms – EF.edu
• Traveler definition – Merriam-Webster
• Verb Tenses – Grammarly
• Types of Verbs – UVU.edu
• Travel definition – Merriam-Webster
• Traveling or Travelling? – Grammarly
• Noah Webster | American lexicographer | Britannica
• lexicographer – definition and examples – ThoughtCo

Inside this article

Fact checked: Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. Learn more.

About the author

Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.

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Which is Correct, Travelling or Traveling?

Many people, particularly my friends, have asked me, “Now that you’re writing travel articles on travellingortraveling.com , tell us whether it is travelling or traveling .” To be honest, the answer to this question is pretty clear and straightforward . On the other hand, it’s so confusing that individuals from the same planet use various spelling, pronunciation, language kinds, etc.

But, before jumping into the differences between these terms and discussing the English language, let me tell you a bit about traveling.

Table of Contents

What Does it Mean to Travel?

As a travel blogger, I had never considered looking up the definition or meaning of travel. I believe we are all too familiar with it and never bothered to look for it. But, because I’m writing about the word “traveling,” I figured I’d explain it as well. So here’s the definition of traveling : to go from one location to another, usually across a long distance.

There are many benefits to traveling, such as meeting new people , seeing unique locations , and learning about different cultures . Many beautiful aspects of travel may be attributed to it, but there’s one drawback : spelling . Spelling and pronunciation might be tricky when it comes to words like “traveling,” “traveler,” and “traveled.” These terms are often mispronounced because some people spell them with a single L while others use a double L .

Difference Between Travelling and Traveling

The spelling “ traveling ” is popular in the United States . While the spelling “ travelling ” is favored in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth . Both spellings are used in published sources , though the two-L variant is more popular in publications that also use spellings such as “colour” or “humour.”

The publications that use shorter spellings —”traveled,” “color,” and “humor”—are written in American English , while the publications that use longer spellings —”travelled,” “colour,” and “humour”—are written in British English . As a result, the distinction between “traveling” and “traveling” is entirely linguistic. The spellings are accurate in both cases. To be more precise, none of these are incorrect.

Get Into the Depth!

Travel is a multisyllabic word , meaning it has more than one syllable . In American English, if a multisyllabic word ends in a vowel (a, e, i, o, and u) and a consonant (in that order), you double the consonant only if the emphasis is on the final syllable. However, there is no doubling since the emphasis is on the first syllable of “travel.”

The terms “traveling” and “traveling” met the same fate as many English words with two spellings. Noah Webster  of the Merriam-Webster dictionary is often credited (or blamed) for this. He was a linguist and lexicographer who had a significant impact on the formation of American English . He included the shorter variants in his dictionaries, which ultimately became the norm in the United States.

The US is practically alone in using the shorter form . Canada , Australia , and India often follow British English traditions, so they prefer “travelling” rather than “traveling.”

Which is Better, Travelling or Traveling?

Now the question is, which one to prefer: travelling or traveling? You have two possibilities , and both are reasonable based on what your target audience really needs and wants.

Choose one spelling and use it consistently throughout your writing. I use the American one-L spelling “traveling” across the site because I target an audience of the United States. And I know that foreign spelling (here, travelling) may confuse them.

Sometimes this is not the case; there will be occasions when you should keep “travelling.” For example, suppose I want to target a British audience for one of my posts since there is a larger search volume. So the spelling is entirely up to you; you may use “travelling” or “traveling,” depending on how many people you believe will read.

Importance of Traveling

Now that we are talking about “traveling” let’s get into the benefits of travel. Although I am sure most of you know about them, why not let’s have a look 😉

Some of the advantages of traveling are as follows:

• It enhances happiness.
• Allows you to escape your daily routine.
• It recharges your mind and body.
• Traveling helps to alleviate stress and anxiety.
• It’s a getaway for new experiences.
• Improves your physical health.
• May help you be more creative.

So, when are you going to take your next trip?

Are you a mountain lover? Check out Best Ladakh Visiting Places !

The Bottom Line

Both “travelling” and “traveling” are acceptable; it only depends on where you live and the kind of English you speak and write. It’s called “ travelling ” in British English . And it is referred to as “ traveling ” in American English . Now that you know the answer, which one do you personally prefer, travelling or traveling ? I personally like the term “travelling.” Since it has one extra letter ;P

What is correct travelling or traveling?

The distinction between "traveling" and "traveling" is entirely linguistic . To be more precise, none of these are incorrect. Its spelling is " travelling " in British English . And it becomes " traveling " in American English .

Why does travelling have two l's?

Word " travelling " has two L's because this is in British English . And it is referred to as " traveling " in American English .

It is travelling or traveling in India?

Word " travelling " has two L's when it is in British English . And the spelling becomes " traveling " in American English . India follows British English and that's why Indians write it as "travelling".

Is travelling British or American English?

The word " travelling " is used in British English . And it is " traveling " in American English .

What are the benefits of traveling?

The following are the benefits of traveling:

• It makes you happy.
• Gets you out of your regular routine.
• It re-energizes you.
• Traveling reduces stress and anxiety.
• It's a new-experience getaway.
• Improves physical health.
• May boost your creativity.

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Past Tense of Travel: Traveling Back in Time

By: Author Oliver

Posted on Last updated: August 12, 2023

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Welcome to our article on the past tense of travel! If you’re learning English grammar, you know that understanding verb tenses is an essential part of the language. The past tense is particularly important, as it allows us to talk about events and experiences that have already happened. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of English tenses, give an overview of the past tense, and focus specifically on how to use the past tense when talking about travel.

Travel is one of the most common topics of conversation, and being able to talk about past trips is a great way to connect with others and share experiences. However, using the past tense correctly can be tricky, especially when it comes to irregular verbs and complex sentence structures. In this article, we’ll provide plenty of examples and exercises to help you master the past tense of travel. We’ll also cover some common mistakes to avoid and provide additional resources for further learning.

So whether you’re planning your next trip or just want to improve your English skills, read on to learn everything you need to know about the past tense of travel!

Key Takeaways

• The past tense is essential for talking about past events and experiences, past tense of ‘travel’ is ‘traveled’
• By practicing with examples and exercises, you can improve your use of the past tense of travel and avoid common mistakes.

Past Tense of Travel

Travel is a verb that is commonly used in the past tense. In this section, we will cover the formation and usage examples of the past tense of travel.

To form the past tense of travel, we add “-ed” to the base form of the verb. For example:

• I traveled to Europe last summer.
• She traveled to Asia for business.
• We traveled to South America for vacation.

Simple Past

The simple past is used to describe a completed action in the past. Regular verbs like travel are formed by adding -ed to the base form. For example:

• I traveled to Paris last year.

Past Continuous

The past continuous is used to describe an action that was in progress at a specific point in the past. It is formed by using the past tense of “to be” (was/were) and the present participle (-ing) of the main verb. Here are some examples:

• I was traveling to Paris when I got a call from my boss.

Usage Examples

The past tense of travel is used to talk about a completed action in the past. Here are some examples:

• I traveled to Japan last year and had an amazing time.
• She traveled to Italy for her honeymoon and fell in love with the country.
• We traveled to Mexico for our anniversary and enjoyed the beautiful beaches.

We can also use the past tense of travel to talk about a past habit or routine. For example:

• When I was younger, I traveled to different countries every summer.
• She traveled for work every week and got used to living out of a suitcase.
• We traveled to visit our family every holiday season.

In conclusion, the past tense of travel is formed by adding “-ed” to the base form of the verb and is used to talk about completed actions or past habits. Practice using the past tense of travel in your own sentences to improve your English grammar skills.

Common Mistakes with Past Tense of Travel

If you are learning English, you might be struggling with the past tense of the verb “travel.” Here are some common mistakes people make and how to avoid them.

Mixing Past and Present Tenses

One of the most common mistakes is mixing past and present tenses. For example, saying “I travel to Paris last year” instead of “I traveled to Paris last year.” To avoid this mistake, remember to use the past tense of “travel” when referring to something that happened in the past.

Using the Present Participle

Another mistake is using the present participle instead of the past tense. For example, saying “I am traveling to London last week” instead of “I traveled to London last week.” To avoid this mistake, remember to use the past tense of “travel” when referring to something that happened in the past.

Using the Wrong Auxiliary Verb

Using the wrong auxiliary verb is also a common mistake. For example, saying “I was travel to Rome” instead of “I traveled to Rome.” To avoid this mistake, remember to use the correct auxiliary verb (in this case, “did”) when forming the past tense.

Example Sentences

Here are some example sentences to help you practice using the past tense of “travel” correctly:

• I traveled to Japan last summer.
• She visited her grandparents in Florida last month.
• They took a road trip across the United States.
• We flew to Paris for our honeymoon.
• He backpacked through Europe after college.

Remember, practice makes perfect! Keep practicing using the past tense of “travel” correctly, and soon it will become second nature.

Exercises to Practice Past Tense of Travel

Learning English grammar can be challenging, especially when it comes to mastering the past tense of travel. To help you improve your skills, we have compiled a list of exercises that you can use to practice and perfect your past tense of travel.

Interactive Exercises

Interactive exercises are a great way to practice the past tense of travel. They allow you to engage with the material and receive immediate feedback on your progress. Here are a few interactive exercises you can try:

• Fill in the Blank: In this exercise, you will be given a sentence with a blank space where the past tense verb should go. Your task is to fill in the blank with the correct past tense verb. For example, “I ___ to Paris last year.” The correct answer would be “went.”
• Matching: In this exercise, you will be given a list of past tense verbs and a list of travel-related words. Your task is to match the past tense verb with the correct travel-related word. For example, “flew” would match with “airplane.”

Written Exercises

Written exercises are another great way to practice the past tense of travel. They allow you to focus on the material and practice at your own pace. Here are a few written exercises you can try:

• Sentence Writing: In this exercise, you will be given a travel-related word, and your task is to write a sentence using the correct past tense verb. For example, “train” could be used in the sentence, “I ___ to New York on a train.”
• Paragraph Writing: In this exercise, you will be given a prompt related to travel, and your task is to write a paragraph using the correct past tense verbs. For example, “Write a paragraph about your last vacation.” You could write, “Last summer, I ___ to Hawaii with my family. We ___ on the beach, ___ in the ocean, and ___ at some amazing restaurants.”

By practicing these exercises, you will improve your understanding and mastery of the past tense of travel. Keep practicing, and before you know it, you’ll be a pro at English grammar!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the past tense of travel?

The past tense of travel is “traveled” in American English and “travelled” in British English. Both spellings are correct, but American English tends to drop the second “l” in the past tense and past participle forms of the verb.

Is it spelled Travelled or traveled?

As mentioned above, both spellings are correct. The difference in spelling is due to the variation in American and British English.

Which is correct travel or travelling?

Both “travel” and “travelling” are correct, but “traveling” is the preferred spelling in American English, while “travelling” is the preferred spelling in British English.

What’s the difference between travel and Travelled?

“Travel” is the present tense of the verb, while “travelled” is the past tense. The difference between the two is the time frame in which the action occurs.

What is the V2 form of travel?

The V2 form of travel is “traveled” in American English and “travelled” in British English.

What is the V3 form of travel?

The V3 form of travel is “traveled” in American English and “travelled” in British English.

In summary, the past tense of travel is “traveled” in American English and “travelled” in British English. Both spellings are correct, and the difference in spelling is due to the variation in American and British English. Additionally, “traveling” is the preferred spelling in American English, while “travelling” is the preferred spelling in British English.

The past tense of travel is \"traveled\" in American English and \"travelled\" in British English. Both spellings are correct, but American English tends to drop the second \"l\" in the past tense and past participle forms of the verb.

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is it spelled Travelled or traveled?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Which is correct travel or travelling?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

Both \"travel\" and \"travelling\" are correct, but \"traveling\" is the preferred spelling in American English, while \"travelling\" is the preferred spelling in British English.

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What's the difference between travel and Travelled?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

\"Travel\" is the present tense of the verb, while \"traveled\" is the past tense. The difference between the two is the time frame in which the action occurs.

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the V2 form of travel?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

The V2 form of travel is \"traveled\" in American English and \"travelled\" in British English.

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the V3 form of travel?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

The V3 form of travel is \"traveled\" in American English and \"travelled\" in British English.

In summary, the past tense of travel is \"traveled\" in American English and \"travelled\" in British English. Both spellings are correct, and the difference in spelling is due to the variation in American and British English. Additionally, \"traveling\" is the preferred spelling in American English, while \"travelling\" is the preferred spelling in British English.

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Meaning of travel in Essential English Dictionary

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(Definition of travel from the Cambridge Essential Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Translations of travel

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Word of the Day

spin your wheels

to waste time doing things that achieve nothing

Alike and analogous (Talking about similarities, Part 1)

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40 Basic Vocabulary Words and Common Phrases for Travel in English

Embarking on a journey to a foreign country can be both exciting and a bit daunting, especially when language barriers come into play. But fear not, we’ve got you covered! This page is dedicated to all the globetrotters out there who are keen on enhancing their English language skills specifically for travel.

We’ve curated a list of 40 essential English words and phrases that will prove to be your best companions on your travels.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first overseas trip, mastering these words and phrases will not only boost your confidence but also enrich your travel experiences. So, let’s dive in and start preparing for your next adventure with our comprehensive travel vocabulary guide. Happy learning and safe travels!

40 essential English words and phrases for travel

• Passport – “Don’t forget to bring your passport to the airport.”
• Luggage – “Please make sure your luggage is not left unattended.”
• Reservation – “I have a reservation under the name Smith.”
• Itinerary – “Our itinerary includes stops in Rome, Paris, and London.”
• Destination – “Our final destination is Sydney.”
• Accommodation – “I’ve booked accommodation for three nights in the city center.”
• Sightseeing – “We’re going sightseeing in the old town tomorrow.”
• Currency – “What’s the local currency in Japan?”
• Boarding Pass – “Please have your boarding pass and identification ready.”
• Departure – “Our departure time is 6:00 PM.”
• Arrival – “Our estimated arrival time is 8:00 PM.”
• Customs – “You’ll need to declare any items at customs.”
• Visa – “Do I need a visa to travel to the United States?”
• Tourist – “As a tourist, I love exploring new places.”
• Landmark – “The Eiffel Tower is a famous landmark in Paris.”
• Guidebook – “I bought a guidebook to learn more about the city’s history.”
• Souvenir – “I bought a souvenir from each city we visited.”
• Jet Lag – “I’m feeling a bit of jet lag after the long flight.”
• Travel Agency – “The travel agency arranged all of our accommodations.”
• Backpack – “I prefer to travel with a backpack instead of a suitcase.”
• Could you help me, please? – When you need assistance.
• How much does this cost? – When you want to know the price of something.
• Where is the nearest…? – When you’re looking for something specific, like a bathroom or a subway station.
• I would like to book… – When you want to make a reservation.
• Do you speak English? – When you need to find someone who speaks English.
• I’m lost. Can you help me? – When you need directions.
• Can I have the menu, please? – When you’re at a restaurant and want to see the menu.
• I’m allergic to… – When you need to inform someone of your allergies.
• Can I have the bill, please? – When you’re ready to pay at a restaurant.
• What time does it open/close? – When you want to know the operating hours of a place.
• Can I have a ticket to…, please? – When you’re buying a ticket.
• Where can I catch the bus/train? – When you need to find the bus or train station.
• Is it far from here? – When you want to know the distance to a place.
• Can you recommend a good…? – When you’re looking for recommendations.
• Do you accept credit cards? – When you want to know if you can pay with a credit card.
• What’s the Wi-Fi password? – When you need to connect to the internet.
• I’d like to go to… – When you’re telling a taxi driver your destination.
• Is there a pharmacy nearby? – When you need to find a pharmacy.
• Can I try this on? – When you’re shopping for clothes and want to try something on.
• Could you take a picture of us, please? – When you want someone to take a photo of you and your group.

Wrapping Up Our English Travel Vocabulary Journey

And there you have it! We’ve journeyed through 40 essential English words and phrases that will help make your travels smoother and more enjoyable. Remember, language is a powerful tool that can open doors to understanding new cultures, making new friends, and creating unforgettable experiences.

Don’t worry if you can’t memorize all the words and phrases at once. The beauty of language learning is that it’s a continuous process. Keep practicing, and soon these words will become second nature to you.

But why stop at 40? If you’re eager to expand your travel vocabulary even further, we have an exciting offer for you. Follow us on Instagram and send us a direct message to get your hands on our comprehensive eBook (write “Travel eBook”), which features 200 essential English words and phrases for travel, plus 2 special bonuses!

We hope this guide will be a valuable resource for your travel adventures. Whether you’re exploring bustling cities, tranquil countryside, or exotic beaches, these phrases will help you navigate your way with confidence.

Thank you for joining us on this linguistic journey. We wish you all the best in your English learning and your future travels. Remember, every journey begins with a single step, or in this case, a single word. Happy travels and happy learning!

>> Learn more English vocabulary

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wordplay, the crossword column

One Under a Birdie

Adam Vincent keeps us young at heart.

By Sam Corbin

Jump to: Today’s Theme | Tricky Clues

TUESDAY PUZZLE — Today marks the first anniversary of my first day at The New York Times, a cause for celebration, certainly. But the milestone that comes to mind when I think about my beginnings here is the first appearance of one of my Wordplay BYLINES (20A) in print. And no, “milestone” is no exaggeration: I had a clipping of the column professionally framed and hung it in my apartment.

That day’s crossword — a Monday collaboration by Alina Abidi and Matthew Stock — featured common expressions using the names of animals, and to this day I retain a special fondness for any puzzle that uses animals in its theme. Imagine my delight, then, when I discovered what Adam Vincent had in store for us today.

There’s more to Mr. Vincent’s trick than just animals — depending on your interpretation of the term, I suppose — but I found it to be the perfect accompaniment to a happy occasion.

So, shall we brighten the day with a solve? Better ELATE (1A) than never, as they say.

Today’s Theme

The term for a “Certain immature adult” hints at each of today’s four themed entries at 16- and 62-Across, and 10- and 24-Down. Let’s take a look at one of our clues: The “Actor who played Oscar Wilde in ‘Wilde’” (16A) is STEPHEN FRY, which somehow also refers to a “fish.” At 10-Down, the “Mouseketeer peer of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake,” RYAN GOSLING, is related to a “gander.” The tie-in here is clearer: a GOSLING is a young gander.

A “Certain immature adult” is a MAN BABY (see also: man child ), the definition of which is self-evident; it’s a MAN who behaves like a BABY. The term seems to have emerged in its current definition in the 2010s. Google’s Ngram Viewer shows an odd spike in the term MAN BABY in the mid-19th century, though the term probablyhad a different meaning at the time: The New York Times, for instance, used the term in 1878 to refer to a medical anomaly .

But I digress: Each of today’s themed entries features a male celebrity whose first name represents the MAN, but whose last doubles as the name of a BABY animal. Who knew that a baby fish was called a FRY? Not I.

See if you can draw out the remaining names on your own (hint: a LAMB and a COLT are involved).

Tricky Clues

15A. There’s a hint about this “spare” that “might be kept in the boot” in the clue’s use of British lingo: A “boot” in England is a trunk, and a car’s tire is a TYRE.

28A. Despite a pesky -er/-re difference in orthography between American and British English, both spellings of this “Pigment used in the Lascaux cave paintings” appear regularly in the Times Crossword. It’s spelled OCHER here, but we’ve had “ochre” just as frequently.

69A. A “Mammal with a miniature trunk” — not a “boot” in this case — is not a baby elephant. This mammal is the TAPIR (but here is a baby elephant for good measure, because they’re adorable).

36D. Notice that “Quartet + quintet” uses a plus sign rather than the word “and.” That isn’t a style discrepancy — it’s a math equation. A group of four and a group of five add up to a NONET.

40D. This “Wild couples’ cruise?” is NOAH’S ARK, and has appeared only a handful of times in Times Crossword history. I hope its future includes a flood of clue phrasings as creative as this one.

47D. “What might catch X’s at an O’s game?” X stands for a smooch, something often captured on the KISS CAM at baseball games, such as those of the O’s, which is short for Orioles.

Constructor Notes

This was one of those puzzles in which everything in the construction process just seemed to click. I stumbled across the theme last summer while trying to brainstorm phrases similar to 10-Down, a name I was hearing a lot in the context of “Barbie.” I considered entries like “silly goose” and “take a gander,” but it wasn’t until I happened to think of the name Jack Chick — the evangelical Christian cartoonist — that I knew I was onto something. From there, it wasn’t tough to come up with the other theme answers, which, to my great fortune, paired off into two sets of manageable 10- and 11-letter entries. During this unusually quick and clean brainstorming process, I also hit upon the revealer at 39-Across. Besides slotting nicely into the center of the grid, it also conveniently reflected the fact that all of the sufficiently famous people I could think of for this puzzle’s naming pattern were men. Usually, constructing a crossword involves leaving several potential theme entries on the cutting room floor. But this time, with the exception of Jack Chick (who I felt was too obscure) and Billy the Kid (which doesn’t feature a surname in the same way), everything I came up with made it into the puzzle. The pinwheel pattern of themed entries in the grid also meant fewer entries crossing multiple theme answers at once, and thus fewer constraints on fill. Given that so many themes I explore don’t even make it past the brainstorming stage, it’s refreshing when a puzzle just works!

Join Our Other Game Discussions

Want to be part of the conversation about New York Times Games, or maybe get some help with a particularly thorny puzzle? Here are the:

Spelling Bee Forum

Wordle Review

Connections Companion

Improve Your Crossword Solving

Work your way through our guide, “ How to Solve the New York Times Crossword .” It contains an explanation of most of the types of clues you will see in the puzzles and a practice Mini at the end of each section.

Want to Submit Crosswords to The New York Times?

The New York Times Crossword has an open submission system, and you can submit your puzzles online . For tips on how to get started, read our series “ How to Make a Crossword Puzzle .”

Not Hitting Your Growth Spurt?

Fast-forward a little: Subscribers can take a peek at the answer key .

Trying to get back to the main Gameplay page? You can find it here .

Sam Corbin writes about language, wordplay and the daily crossword for The Times. More about Sam Corbin

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