The correct spelling is C-O-N-N-E-C-T-I-N-G

Connecting is spelled with two N's and two C's. The word comes from the verb "connect," and when you add the "-ing" ending, you keep both the N and the C from the base word. This is one of the most common spelling mistakes because the double letters can feel unusual when you say the word aloud.

The confusion usually happens in one of two places: people either drop one of the N's (writing "conectng" or "conecting") or they forget the second C entirely. Both are wrong. The correct form has all four consonants: C-O-N-N-E-C-T-I-N-G. If you are typing in most word processors or email programs, the spell-checker will flag the wrong versions and suggest the correct one.

Key Takeaways

  • The word "connecting" has two N's and two C's: C-O-N-N-E-C-T-I-N-G.
  • When you add "-ing" to "connect," you do not drop or double any letters beyond what is already there.
  • Common misspellings include "conectng," "conecting," and "conectting" — all of which are incorrect.
  • The same rule applies to related words like "connected," "connector," and "connection," which all keep both the N and the C.
  • You do not double the T when adding "-ing" because "connect" is a two-syllable word with stress on the second syllable.

Why the double letters trip people up

English spelling rules for adding "-ing" can be confusing because sometimes you do change the base word and sometimes you do not. With one-syllable words that end in a single consonant after a single vowel — like "run," "sit," or "hop" — you double the final consonant before adding "-ing" (running, sitting, hopping). This rule makes people second-guess themselves on longer words, even when the rule does not apply.

"Connect" is a two-syllable word, and the stress falls on the second syllable (con-NECT). Because of this stress pattern and the length of the word, you do not double the final T when you add "-ing." You simply add the suffix as-is: connect + ing = connecting. The two N's and two C's are already in the base word "connect," so they stay exactly where they are. Nothing gets dropped, and nothing gets added beyond the "-ing" itself.

Related words with the same spelling pattern

Once you know how to spell "connecting," the related words follow the same pattern. Connected is spelled C-O-N-N-E-C-T-E-D. Connector is C-O-N-N-E-C-T-O-R. Connection is C-O-N-N-E-C-T-I-O-N. All of them keep both the N and the C from the base word "connect." You are not changing the core spelling of the word — you are just changing what suffix you attach to it.

The word disconnect and its forms (disconnecting, disconnected, disconnection) follow the same rule. You do not drop letters or add extra ones — you keep the structure of the base word and add the suffix. This consistency makes it easier once you remember that "connect" itself has two N's and two C's. Once that pattern is locked in, all the related words become straightforward.

How to remember the correct spelling

One way to lock this in is to break the word into chunks: CON-NECT-ING. Say it slowly and notice where the double letters sit. The two N's are right next to each other in the middle (coNNect), and the two C's are at the start and in the middle (Connect). When you add "-ing," nothing changes about those letters — they stay exactly where they are. This visual breakdown can help you catch yourself if you start to write it wrong.

Another memory trick is to think of the word "connection" first, since many people spell that one correctly. Once you know connection is spelled with two N's and two C's, you can work backward: connecting is just connection with the "-ion" swapped for "-ing." The core letters stay the same. If you are ever unsure, you can also check a dictionary or use your device's spell-check feature to confirm.

Common misspellings to avoid

The most frequent wrong versions are "conectng" (missing one N), "conecting" (missing one N and one C), and "conectting" (missing one C but adding an extra T). You might also see "conneting" (dropping the C), though this is less common. Each of these happens because someone either forgot one of the double letters or applied the doubling rule incorrectly.

If you are typing and your spell-checker flags your version of the word, check that you have written it as C-O-N-N-E-C-T-I-N-G. If you are writing by hand or in a program without spell-check, slow down and count the letters: two C's, two N's, one T, and the vowels O, E, and I in that order. Taking a few extra seconds to verify the spelling now saves you from sending out a message with a mistake.

When spell-check does not catch it

Some older spell-checkers or specialized software may not flag every misspelling, especially if you are typing in a field that does not have full dictionary support. In those cases, your own knowledge of the correct spelling is your best tool. If you have written "connecting" many times correctly, your muscle memory will usually guide you to the right version without thinking about it.

If you find yourself repeatedly misspelling this word, try typing it out five or ten times in a row, slowly and deliberately. This repetition helps your brain and fingers learn the correct pattern. You can also create a note on your device with the correct spelling and refer to it when you are unsure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it "connecting" or "conectting"?

It is "connecting" with two N's and two C's, but only one T. The word "conectting" is misspelled. You do not double the T when you add "-ing" to "connect" because the word is two syllables with stress on the second syllable, not a short one-syllable word.

What about the word "connection" — is that spelled the same way?

Connection is spelled C-O-N-N-E-C-T-I-O-N, which keeps the same two N's and two C's as "connecting." The only difference is the ending: connection ends in "-ion" while connecting ends in "-ing." Both are correct, and both have the same double letters in the middle.

Do I double the T when I add "-ing" to "connect"?

No. You only double the final consonant in one-syllable words or words where the stress falls on the final syllable and the word ends in a single consonant after a single vowel. "Connect" is two syllables with stress on the second, so you do not double the T. You simply add "-ing" to get "connecting."

Why do people misspell this word so often?

The double letters in the middle of the word are not obvious when you hear it spoken aloud. Many people also confuse the "-ing" rule with the doubling rule for shorter words like "running" or "sitting," which makes them second-guess the correct spelling of "connecting."

Can I use spell-check to fix this if I get it wrong?

Yes. Most word processors, email programs, and messaging apps have built-in spell-checkers that will flag misspelled versions of "connecting" and suggest the correct spelling. However, not every program has this feature, so knowing the correct spelling yourself is still useful.