Totalling or Totaling: Which Spelling to Use?

When it comes to the words totalling and totaling, many people get confused about which version to use. Both of these spellings are correct, but the choice between the two often depends on where you are located and the specific context in which you’re writing.

Let’s break it down: totalling vs totaling, the spelling conventions, and when to use one over the other. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of when to use each spelling and how to apply them effectively.

Understanding the Difference Between “Totalling” and “Totaling”

Before diving into the details, let’s clarify the basic difference between these two spellings.

• Totaling is the preferred spelling in American English.
• Totalling is the preferred spelling in British English.

The Spelling Dilemma: Why Does It Matter?

The totaling or totalling debate comes down to the rules of British and American English spelling conventions. The key difference lies in the way certain words are formed using suffixes. The suffix “-ing” often follows a pattern where British English tends to retain double letters in words like traveling vs. travelling, while American English simplifies the spelling by dropping the extra consonant.

In essence, both forms are grammatically correct, but it’s essential to align your spelling with the appropriate location-based spelling conventions.

When to Use “Totaling” in American English

If you’re writing in American English, you’ll want to use totaling in most situations. This applies to everything from informal emails to formal reports.

Example Email in American English:

Let’s say you’re working in finance and need to send a follow-up email to your colleague regarding the calculations:

Subject: Follow-Up on Financial Report

Hi James,

I hope you’re doing well! I just wanted to check in with you regarding the calculations for the Q4 report. I’ve been totaling everything and noticed a slight discrepancy between our figures. Could you double-check the data for the marketing department? Once we have the correct numbers, we can finalize the report.

Thanks,
Emily

In this case, “totaling” is the appropriate choice because Emily is using American English.

When to Use “Totalling” in British English

If you’re writing in British English, totalling is the way to go. Whether you’re drafting a letter, an academic paper, or sending a quick email, stick with totalling in British English.

Example Email in British English:

Let’s look at the same scenario as above, but this time, it’s in the UK:

Subject: Follow-Up on Financial Report

Hi James,

I hope you’re well. I wanted to follow up on the calculations for the Q4 report. I’ve been totalling everything and noticed a slight difference between our figures. Could you have a look at the data for the marketing department? Once we confirm the correct numbers, we can finalise the report.

Best regards,
Emily

Notice how “totalling” is used instead of “totaling.” Also, in British English, “finalise” is preferred over the American “finalize.”

Totalling vs Totaling: Which Should You Use?

The real question many face is: totalling or totaling? To make it simple, if you’re in the United States or writing for an American audience, totaling is the way to go. If you’re in the UK or writing for a British audience, use totalling.

It’s really that straightforward. Keep in mind the location of your audience, and your decision should be clear.

However, what if you’re unsure? For example, if you’re in an international work environment where colleagues are spread across different regions, it’s always best to clarify with your team which spelling convention they follow. In many cases, using totaling might be safer, especially in contexts where people are more accustomed to American spelling conventions.

Scenario: “Totalling Everything” in Accounting

In accounting, the concept of totalling everything comes into play regularly. The idea is to add up all relevant figures, whether it’s for a report, a budget, or a summary of expenses. But how do we use this term correctly in different contexts?

For example, when you’re adding up all the transactions in a bank statement or a ledger, you’re essentially totaling everything. In American English, you would use totaling here, even if you’re referring to the summing up of data.

Totalling Everything Synonym

A synonym for totaling everything could be “adding up everything” or “summing everything.” Here’s an example:

Hi James,

I’ve finished totaling everything for the end of the year, and the total expenses came in higher than expected. The overall expenditure was about 15% over budget, so I’ll need to look into any discrepancies.

Best regards,
Emily

This sentence illustrates how you might refer to totaling everything in a financial or business context.

Key Differences: “Totaled or Totalled”

Another common question is whether to use totaled or totalled. In American English, the correct spelling is totaled (one “l”), while in British English, it is spelled totalled (with two “l”s”).

This is yet another example of the spelling differences between British and American English, which can be seen in many other common words.

Example in American English:

The car totaled after the accident. (This would be the American English form.)

Example in British English:

The car was totalled after the accident. (This would be the British English form.)

Totalling Meaning in Accounting

In accounting, totalling refers to the act of adding up all figures in a financial document, report, or balance sheet. Whether you’re calculating sales, expenses, or any other type of financial data, totalling is an essential task.

For example:

Accounting Example:
After totalling the monthly expenses, the accountant found that the business had spent more on marketing than initially projected. This discrepancy will need to be addressed in the next budget meeting.

In this case, the word “totalling” is used to refer to the process of summing up expenses.

Totalling or Totaling: Which One is More Common in Your Region?

It’s essential to understand which spelling is more common in your region. In the UK, totalling is the norm. In the US, totaling reigns supreme.

This can influence not just your professional communications but also your personal writing. If you’re writing a blog post, an email, or even a text message, you should choose the spelling based on where you live or the audience you’re addressing.

Totalling in a Sentence: Examples

Let’s look at a few more examples of how to use totalling or totaling in sentences:

1. Totaling everything at the end of the month is crucial for maintaining a balanced budget.
2. Emily has been totalling all the invoices for the last quarter.
3. The totaling of receipts took longer than expected because some were missing information.

Totalling Definition and Synonyms

• Totalling definition: The act of adding or summing up numbers or amounts to find a total.
• Totalling synonyms: adding up, summing up, calculating, tallying, reckoning, computing.

Totaling Synonym	Context Example
Adding up	Adding up the expenses will help us stay on track.
Summing up	He’s summing up all the transactions for the quarter.
Tallying	She spent the afternoon tallying the receipts.
Reckoning	After reckoning all the figures, the project costs were higher than planned.

Conclusion: Totalling or Totaling?

To wrap up, the choice between totalling and totaling comes down to the form of English you’re using: British or American. In the UK, stick with totalling; in the US, totaling is the correct form. Always consider your audience, and when in doubt, align with regional conventions.

No matter which spelling you choose, understanding totaling meaning, totalling in accounting, and how to use both terms correctly will make your writing clearer and more effective. Keep in mind the total meaning, whether you’re summing up expenses, calculating figures, or tallying totals in various contexts.