Coming or Comming: Which Is Correct?
Updated · Which One Is Correct editorial team
Quick answer: When writing about arrival or the present participle of come, the word coming is the only correct spelling. The version comming is a common misspelling that adds an extra letter where it does not belong. This guide clarifies the difference so you can write with confidence and avoid errors in your emails, documents, and online posts. Always choose coming for any standard usage.
The Short Answer
The word coming is correct; comming is a misspelling that should never appear in proper writing. Using the extra m changes the word into something that does not exist in the dictionary. This verdict applies to every context where you intend to show forward movement or participation.
People confuse these words because the sound of the 'm' at the end feels heavy and they want to emphasize it by repeating the letter. However, English spelling rules do not allow this repetition for this specific verb form. The root word come takes a single m when adding the ing ending to form the participle or gerund.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Form | Status | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| coming | Correct | To describe something happening now or moving forward |
| comming | Incorrect | Never use this form in any standard writing context |
| coming | Noun or Verb | As a noun meaning an arrival or as a verb meaning to happen |
| coming | Global Standard | In American, British, and most other standard English dialects |
Correct Example Sentences
- The package is coming tomorrow morning.
- She is coming to the party this weekend.
- My thoughts are coming slowly to me.
- What is coming next in the story?
- We are coming home from the trip.
- The sun is coming up over the hill.
- Good things are coming your way soon.
- They are coming to fix the leak.
- Spring is coming around the corner.
- Success is coming after hard work.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
- The group of friends comming together.
- The group of friends coming together.
- Is he comming to the store?
- Is he coming to the store?
- I have a feeling of comming rain.
- I have a feeling of coming rain.
- She was comming home late.
- She was coming home late.
- We are comming up with an idea.
- We are coming up with an idea.
- The train is comming through the station.
- The train is coming through the station.
A Quick Test You Can Use
To ensure you have spelled the word correctly, try reading the sentence aloud and listening for the natural flow of the verb ending. If your ear expects a single m sound at the end, then your eye should also show only one m in the spelling. Any instinct to double the letter usually stems from a desire for emphasis, but grammar rules require strict adherence to the standard form.
Related Word Pairs
- accept vs except
- use accept to mean receive and except to mean exclude
- affect vs effect
- use affect as a verb and effect as a noun
- advise vs advice
- advise is the action and advice is the recommendation
- complement vs compliment
- complement completes while compliment praises
- disinterested vs uninterested
- disinterested means impartial and uninterested means bored
- historic vs historical
- historic is famous and historical is from the past
- its vs it is
- its shows possession and it is two separate words
- lie vs lay
- lie means to rest down and lay means to put something down
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people spell it comming?
People often make this mistake because the consonant m sounds distinct and they feel a need to double it for emphasis. This is a common phonetic error where the spelling is adjusted to match a perceived stress in the sound rather than following standard dictionary rules.
Is comming ever correct in any dialect?
No, the form comming is not correct in any standard English dialect or region. It appears only as a spelling error that writers should avoid to maintain clarity and professionalism in their communication.
Can I use coming as a noun?
Yes, coming can function as a noun to describe the act of arriving or the process of moving toward a destination. For example, you might say the coming of the new era was a significant event for everyone involved.
What is the past tense of come?
The past tense of the verb come is the irregular form came. You do not add ed to the base word, and the spelling changes completely to reflect the completed action in the past.
