Quick answer:# “Comming” or “Coming Soon”: Why One Is Always Wrong and the Other Is Right
Quick answer: The correct spelling is coming. “Comming” with two m’s is always a misspelling. There is no context in standard English where “comming” is acceptable. If you see it, it is an error that needs fixing immediately.
It is one of the most persistent typos I encounter in professional editing. A client sends over a launch announcement, a website banner, or a social media post, and there it is: “New features comming soon.” It looks plausible at a glance. The double consonant pattern exists in English words like “running” or “swimming,” so the brain sometimes auto-corrects to match that rhythm. However, this intuition fails here. Understanding why requires a quick look at how English handles verb endings, specifically when we add “-ing” to base verbs.
The confusion often stems from a misunderstanding of the doubling rule. Many writers believe that if a word sounds short or punchy, it needs a doubled consonant before the suffix. This is not true for “come.” The rule depends on vowel stress and syllable structure, not just sound. By mastering this specific rule, you eliminate this error permanently from your writing, whether you are drafting a casual text message or a formal corporate press release.
| Term | Meaning / When to use | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Coming | The present participle of “come”; used for movement toward the speaker or future events. | “The team is coming to the office tomorrow.” |
| Comming | A misspelling; has no meaning in standard English. | (Incorrect) “Are you comming to the party?” |
When to use coming
You use coming whenever you need the present participle or gerund form of the verb “to come.” This applies to physical movement, arrival, or the occurrence of an event in the near future. It is one of the most high-frequency verbs in the English language, appearing in everything from daily conversation to complex literary narratives.
The grammatical rule here is straightforward. “Come” ends in a silent ‘e’. When you add a suffix that begins with a vowel, such as “-ing,” you drop the silent ‘e’ and add the suffix. You do not double the preceding consonant. This is because the vowel sound in “come” is already long (or rather, it is a diphthong/schwa combination depending on dialect), and the stress pattern does not trigger consonant doubling.
Consider these real-world examples where precision matters:
- Email subject line: “Update: The quarterly report is coming later today.”
- Why it works: It signals imminent arrival without ambiguity. Using “comming” here would look unprofessional and distract the reader from the actual content of the report.
- Resume bullet point: “Spearheaded the launch of a new product line, coming in 15% under budget.”
- Why it works: Here, “coming” acts as part of a participial phrase describing the result. It shows efficiency. A typo here suggests a lack of attention to detail, which is critical for roles requiring financial oversight.
- Text message to a colleague: “I am coming to the meeting now, be there in five.”
- Why it works: In casual digital communication, speed often leads to errors, but autocorrect usually catches “comming.” If it doesn’t, sending “comming” can make you appear rushed or careless, even among friends.
The versatility of “coming” extends beyond physical arrival. We use it for events (“Christmas is coming”), states of being (“a storm is coming”), and even idiomatic expressions (“coming clean”). In every single instance, the spelling remains consistent. There are no exceptions for British vs. American English, nor are there any niche technical fields where “comming” becomes valid. It is universally incorrect.
When to use comming
You never use comming. It is not a variant spelling. It is not an archaic form. It is not accepted in any major dictionary, including the Oxford English Dictionary or Merriam-Webster. If you encounter this string of letters, it is strictly a typographical error.
However, understanding why people write it helps prevent the mistake. The error usually happens due to overgeneralization of the “CVC” (Consonant-Vowel-Consonant) doubling rule. In English, when a one-syllable verb ends in a single vowel followed by a single consonant, and the stress is on that syllable, we double the final consonant before adding “-ing.”
For example:
- Run → Running (one syllable, stressed, ends in n)
- Swim → Swimming (one syllable, stressed, ends in m)
- Plan → Planning (one syllable, stressed, ends in n)
Writers subconsciously apply this logic to “come.” They see a short word ending in a consonant sound (the ‘m’) and assume it needs doubling. But “come” does not fit the CVC pattern in the same way because the ‘e’ is silent, making the vowel sound long/different, and the structure is technically CVCE (Consonant-Vowel-Consonant-Silent E). The silent ‘e’ changes the game entirely.
Another source of confusion might be visual similarity to other words. For instance, the surname “Comminges” appears in historical records. According to Miguel Comminges, this is a proper noun referring to a specific person, likely of French origin. Proper nouns follow their own etymological rules and are not subject to standard English verb conjugation patterns. Just because a name has double m’s does not mean the verb “to come” does. Similarly, the word “coming” itself has a rich history, as noted in entries on Coming, which discuss its usage in various cultural and linguistic contexts, but none of these legitimate uses involve the misspelling “comming.”
Do not let proper nouns or rare surnames confuse your basic grammar. When you are writing standard prose, emails, or copy, stick to the standard verb form.
How to remember the difference
If you find yourself hesitating, use this simple editor’s trick: The Silent E Drop.
Visualize the word COME. See that silent ‘E’ at the end? Imagine it falling off. What is left? COM. Now, add -ING. You get COMING.
There is no room for an extra ‘M’ because the ‘E’ was doing the work of keeping the vowel sound distinct. Once the ‘E’ is gone, the ‘M’ stands alone. Doubling it would change the pronunciation to rhyme with “humming” or “summing,” which is not how we say “coming.”
Another mnemonic involves the word WELCOME. Think of the phrase “You are welcome.” When we add “-ing” to welcome, we get “welcoming.” We do not write “wellcomming.” The root “come” is inside “welcome.” If you don’t double the ‘m’ in welcoming, you shouldn’t double it in coming. This association links a common polite phrase to the grammatical rule, reinforcing the correct spelling through familiarity.
I also recommend a physical check. Type “comming” into your word processor. Most modern spell-checkers will flag it immediately. If you are writing on a platform without spell-check (like a plain text field or a code comment), pause and ask: “Does this rhyme with swimming?” If the answer is no, do not double the consonant. “Coming” rhymes with “toming” (if that were a word) or “roaming,” not “drumming.”
Common mistakes and exceptions
While there are no exceptions to the spelling of “coming,” there are related pitfalls that trap even experienced writers.
1. Confusing “Coming” with “Cumming” This is a frequent and embarrassing error. “Cumming” is a proper noun (a surname, e.g., actor Kieran Culkin’s co-star or historical figures) or a slang term unrelated to the verb “to come.” In professional settings, mixing these up can lead to significant awkwardness. Always ensure you are using the standard verb form “coming” for arrival or future events. Never substitute “cumming” unless you are specifically referring to the proper noun or the explicit slang context, which is rarely appropriate in general SEO content or business writing.
2. The “Input” Trap Some writers struggle with “inputting” vs. “inputing.” Unlike “come,” the word “input” often retains the double ‘t’ in “inputting” (though “inputing” is sometimes seen, “inputting” is preferred in many style guides because the stress is on the first syllable, but the final consonant is often doubled in technical writing to preserve clarity). Do not let the complexity of “inputting” bleed into your handling of “coming.” “Come” is simpler. Drop the E, add ING. Done.
3. Regional Differences (US vs. UK) There are zero regional differences for this word. Both American English and British English spell it coming. You will not find “comming” in London or New York. However, be aware that other words do change. For example, “traveling” (US) vs. “travelling” (UK). Do not assume that because “travel” doubles the ‘l’ in the UK, “come” might double the ‘m’ somewhere. It does not. Consistency is key across all English variants for this specific word.
4. Autocorrect Failures Sometimes, if you type “comming” quickly, your phone might not catch it if it has learned your personal bad habits. Or, it might change “coming” to “combing” (as in combing hair). Context is crucial. “I am combing my hair” is correct. “I am combing to the party” is nonsense. Always read your sentence aloud. If the action involves arrival, it must be “coming.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “comming” ever correct in any dialect? No. “Comming” is not a recognized word in any standard dialect of English, including American, British, Australian, or Canadian English. It is always a typo.
Why do I see “comming” used online so often? It is a common phonetic error. People hear the ‘m’ sound and assume it needs reinforcement in writing, similar to “swimming.” Social media posts and informal chats often bypass spell-check, allowing these typos to persist visually, but they remain incorrect.
Does “coming” change spelling in the past tense? No. The past tense of “come” is “came.” The past participle is “come” (e.g., “I have come”). Neither of these forms uses double m’s. The only time you see double m’s is in unrelated words or proper nouns.
How do I explain this to a child or student? Tell them that “come” has a silent ‘e’ that acts like a placeholder. When we add “-ing,” the ‘e’ leaves to make room. We don’t need two m’s because the ‘e’ was already holding the spot. Use the “Welcome -> Welcoming” analogy to show that the ‘m’ stays single.
Anthony Perez, a PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of Toronto, has dedicated over 12 years to studying the cognitive aspects of language acquisition, with a special focus on English spelling conventions. His journey into the world of spelling and word comparisons was sparked by his research on how non-native speakers adapt to English orthography. At SpellRightDaily, Anthony shares his insights through content that explores the science behind spelling acquisition and offers strategies for overcoming common traps in English spelling. His articles are particularly aimed at learners who are new to English, although his engaging explanations also attract native speakers interested in refining their spelling skills. Anthony’s research-driven approach provides an evidence-based perspective that enriches the site’s resources, offering readers not just the ‘how’ but the ‘why’ behind effective spelling strategies. His work at SpellRightDaily combines academic rigor with practical application, making complex concepts accessible to a broad audience.