If you are confused about whether 'totaled' or 'totalled' is the correct spelling, this guide will help.
Here is the short answer in case you are in a rush:
To learn more about why the first spelling is correct in America and the second is correct in other English-speaking countries, stick around!
Technically, the correct spelling of 'totaled' depends on where you or your target audience lives. If you are a new freelance writer, you may be unaware that there are British and U.S. English styles.
However, some words are spelled differently between the two styles. So, it is important to pay attention to your audience and reference your style guide to ensure you are using the correct spelling.
Otherwise, your client may be unsatisfied with your work.
To help familiarize yourself with the difference between these two English styles, take a look at the examples in the list below, with the US-style on the left and the British style on the right.
As you can see in the British English style, an l is often added after an l before adding an ing or ed suffix.
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'totaled' is the past-tense form of the verb total, which means:
When it comes to pronunciation, US and British spellings are rarely pronounced differently. For example, 'totaled' and 'totalled' sound the same.
Take a look at this pronunciation guide as a reference.
tow-tlld
tow-tlld
For example, you could say:
The cashier totaled our order.
As an example, I might say:
During the summer, I totaled my car. So, in my senior year of high school, I am going to have to ride the bus.
For example, you could say:
The letters we received from happy customers totaled more than 980, which speaks volumes for the hard work we did to develop our superior products.
So, you could say:
He was so upset when he totalled the car his father bought him in his favourite colour for his 21st birthday.
For example, I might say:
He totalled the figures in each of the coloured columns.
Now, here are some sample sentences using each spelling.
Finally, here is a review of what you learned about whether the correct spelling is 'totaled' or 'totalled':
Many writers who are just starting their writing careers are unaware that there is a difference between British and US English.
If you are a writer who is only familiar with US English, you may want to avoid taking projects from clients who require writing in British style until you brush up on your UK-style writing skills.
Luckily, if you have questions about which version of a spelling to use, you can look up the term here.
You can also learn about ways to pitch stories, how to create a writing portfolio, and many other useful topics here.
So, if you are interested in improving your writing or personal marketing skills, read a few other posts here before you go, and check back frequently to stay up-to-date on industry changes and best practices.
We encourage you to share this article on Twitter and Facebook. Just click those two links - you'll see why.
It's important to share the news to spread the truth. Most people won't.