Tying or Tieing: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-03 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: The correct spelling is always tying. The form tieing is incorrect in standard American and British English. When adding ing to a verb ending in consonant vowel consonant, you must double the final letter. This rule applies to tie, making tying the only accepted choice for dictionaries and style guides everywhere.

The Short Answer

The only correct spelling is tying, while tieing is considered a misspelling in all major dictionaries.

People often confuse these forms because the word ends in a silent e, which tempts writers to simply add ing. However, English spelling rules require dropping the final e and doubling the consonant when the vowel before it is short, leading to the correct result.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
tying	Correct	Writing the present participle of tie
tieing	Incorrect	Never use this form in formal writing
to tie	Correct	Using the base verb in a sentence
tied	Correct	Using the past tense or past participle

Correct Example Sentences

She spent the morning tying the balloons to the door handle.
The dog was tying its own leash in a confusing knot.
He is tying a bow around the gift box with care.
We are tying up loose ends before the project deadline.
The sailor is tying the boat securely to the dock.
She enjoys tying her hair back when she runs in the morning.
He is tying his shoelaces before the big race begins.
The artist is tying the ribbon tightly around the canvas edge.
We are tying the package before mailing it to our relatives.
The chef is tying the herbs together with kitchen twine.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

She was tieing the knot when the ceremony started.: She was tying the knot when the ceremony started.
The cat is tieing a bow around its neck.: The cat is tying a bow around its neck.
He likes tieing his shoelaces in double knots.: He likes tying his shoelaces in double knots.
They were tieing the raft to the post.: They were tying the raft to the post.
I am tieing the packages for the holiday party.: I am tying the packages for the holiday party.
The wind is tieing the flags to the pole.: The wind is tying the flags to the pole.

A Quick Test You Can Use

To verify the spelling, think of other verbs that follow the same pattern, such as dye or die. If you would write dying or dyeing, you know that the final consonant must be doubled before adding ing. This mental check ensures you apply the standard doubling rule correctly without relying on memory of individual letters.

Related Word Pairs

dyeing vs dying: Use dying for death and dyeing for coloring fabric.
lying vs laying: Use lying for resting and laying for placing an object.
loose vs lose: Use loose for not tight and lose for misplacing something.
their vs there: Use their for possession and there for location.
accept vs except: Use accept to receive and except to exclude something.

More Example Sentences

The tailor is tying the sash around the dress with precision.
We need to tie up the garden stakes before the storm arrives.
She is tying her hair into a high ponytail for the workout.
The magician was tying the rope around the volunteer's wrists.
I am tying the balloon string to the table leg so it does not float away.
The runner stopped to tie his sneaker laces after the first mile.
You should tie the bundle of celery before placing it in the refrigerator.
The dockworker is tying the heavy cargo to the truck bed securely.
He is tying a complex knot to secure the tent against the wind.
The florist is tying green tape around the flower stems to keep them straight.

Quick Practice

Please the ribbon around the gift box neatly.

tie

She is her scarf around her neck for warmth.

tying

We must the loose wires to prevent an accident.

tie

The boxer was his gloves before the match began.

tying

I need to up the trash bag before taking it out.

tie

He is the balloon to the chair so it stays put.

tying

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tieing accepted in British English?

No, tieing is not accepted in British English. The standard spelling remains tying in both American and British varieties of the language.

Why do I see tieing online sometimes?

You might see tieing online due to careless typing or autocorrect errors. It is not a valid spelling and should be corrected to tying in all professional contexts.

What is the rule for doubling consonants?

Double the final consonant when a one-syllable verb ends in consonant vowel consonant. This rule applies to tie, making tying the correct form.

Can I use tying as a noun?

Yes, tying can function as a gerund, which acts like a noun. For example, the tying of the knot took several minutes of careful work.