Ever stared at a message and wondered if you typed it right? You aren’t alone. Coming is the correct spelling, and comming is a spelling mistake.
This guide shows you why, so you never second guess it again. You’ll get quick rules, real examples, and a simple trick you can use in any email.
Quick Answer
Use coming with one “m.” It’s the present participle of the verb come, and every major dictionary lists it that way.
Comming isn’t a word in standard English. It’s a misspelling that slips in when fingers move faster than the brain.
Here’s the one line to remember. Come drops its silent e and takes the -ing suffix, which gives you coming.
Why People Confuse Them

Picture this. You’re typing a quick note about a package and your thumb hits “m” twice. Nobody checks that kind of typo until it’s already sent.
The bigger reason is a rule you learned years ago. Words like swim and sit double their last letter before -ing, so your brain assumes come follows the same path.
Pronunciation adds to the mess. We say KUM-ing, and the short “u” sound feels like it needs extra support, so some people add a second “m” without thinking.
Key Differences At A Glance
Here’s the whole usage difference in a small table. Skim it once and you’re set.
| Feature | Coming | Comming |
| Correct spelling | Yes | No |
| Dictionary-approved | Yes | No |
| Word type | Verb form, adjective, noun | None |
| Safe for professional writing | Yes | Never |
| Fix needed | None | Change to coming |
The takeaway is simple. One is an accepted spelling with a recognized meaning, and the other is a spelling error with no meaning at all.
If you only remember one row, remember the last one. Delete the extra “m” and you’re done.
Meaning And Usage Difference
Coming carries real meaning. It describes something approaching, arriving, or happening soon, like “the coming year” or “my friends are coming over.”
It also works as a standard noun, as in “the coming of spring.” In every case, the word points toward something that’s on its way.
Comming has no meaning or usage to compare. A reader who sees it will usually guess what you meant, but they’ll also notice the slip.
Tone, Context, And Formality

Does a spelling mistake matter in a text message? Often not much. Friends forgive a typing mistake when the plan is clear.
It matters more in business emails, resumes, and reports. One slip can make professional communication look rushed, even when your ideas are solid.
Formal English and academic writing leave no room for it either. Editors, teachers, and hiring managers all treat comming as an error that needs fixing.
Which One Should You Use?
Use coming every time. There’s no situation in American English, British English, or any other variety where comming is the right call.
That includes social media posts, online messaging, and casual chats. You can drop punctuation or use slang, but the spelling of this word stays fixed.
Think of it like locking your front door. It takes a second, and it saves you from an awkward surprise later.
When One Choice Sounds Wrong
Read this out loud: “Summer is comming soon.” It might look fine for a moment, but your eye usually snags on the double “m.”
Now try “Summer is coming soon.” It looks clean, and fluent readers glide right past it without stopping.
That snag is your best proofreading tool. When a word makes you pause for no reason, check it against a dictionary.
Common Mistakes (And Quick Fixes)
Most errors with this word come from three habits. Each one is easy to fix once you spot it.
Let’s walk through them one at a time, with a quick repair for each.
Doubling The Wrong Letter
The most common slip is adding a second “m” because it feels natural. Many writers do it on autopilot, especially when typing fast.
The fix takes five seconds. Look at the base word come, drop the final “e,” and add -ing. No extra letters are needed.
Try it with similar verbs. Make becomes making, write becomes writing, and come becomes coming.
Following Sound Instead Of Spelling
English doesn’t always spell words the way they sound. The short “u” in KUM-ing can fool you into thinking the spelling needs a heavy “mm.”
Here’s the thing about pronunciation vs spelling. Sound is a guide, but spelling patterns are the real rulebook.
So slow down. Say the word, then picture the base word and apply the silent e rule instead of trusting your ear.
Misapplying The Consonant Rule
The consonant doubling rule applies to short words that end in a single vowel plus a single consonant. That’s why run becomes running, swim becomes swimming, and sit becomes sitting.
Come doesn’t fit that pattern. It ends in a vowel, not a consonant, so the double consonant rule never kicks in.
The correct rule for come is the drop the silent e rule. That one rule covers coming, making, and writing.
Everyday Examples
Real sentences help the rule stick. Here are a few you might actually write this week:
- “Are you coming to the celebration this weekend?”
- “The storm is coming from the north, so bring an umbrella.”
- “Two guests are coming by the coffee shop downtown at noon.”
- “The train is coming, so grab your bag.”
- “Our new websites are coming soon.”
Notice how natural each one feels. The word does its job quietly, and nobody has to think about it.
Now flip it. If you saw “The visitors are comming,” you’d probably wince a little. That reaction is the difference between polished writing and a rushed draft.
A Quick Memory Trick
Want a trick that works in under a minute? Ask yourself one question: “Does the word come end in an e?” If yes, the e disappears and -ing takes over.
Then say it in your head like this. “One m, one mission, no extra m.” It’s silly, but silly sticks.
Share it with a coworker or a friend who keeps tripping on this word. Teaching someone else is the fastest way to lock it in for yourself.
Does Spell Check Catch It?
Usually, yes. Most tools flag comming with a red squiggle, and one click swaps in coming. That’s the good news.
The bad news is that autocorrect can fail on text messages, notes apps, and design tools that skip proofing. Tiny typos slide into presentations, signs, and marketing copy that way.
So don’t rely on software alone. A quick read before you hit send catches what the checker misses.
Dictionary-Style Word Details
If you like to see how the dictionaries handle a word, this section is for you. It lays out coming the way a reference entry would.
Everything here follows dictionary-style definition habits, but in plain talk. Skim the parts you need.
Verb
As a verb form, coming is the present participle of come. It shows an action in progress, like “She is coming home.”
It also works as a gerund in some sentences, such as “Coming early helps you get a seat.” Both uses keep the same spelling.
Noun
As a standard noun, coming means an arrival or approach. Think of “the coming of spring” or “the coming of age story.”
You’ll also see it as an adjective in phrases like “the coming winter.” The spelling never changes, no matter the role.
Synonyms
Looking for a swap when you want variety? These work in many sentences:
- Approaching
- Arriving
- Upcoming
- Nearing
- Moving toward
- Arriving at
The antonyms are just as handy. Leaving, departing, and going all point the opposite way.
Example Sentences
Here are a few more to practice with:
- “Is a meeting coming up before lunch?”
- “Spring is coming, and the future looks bright.”
- “I saw it coming from a mile away.”
- “New books are coming to the library next month.”
- “Her signs of excitement said what’s coming next mattered.”
Read them aloud once. Your ear will start to trust the right shape of the word.
Word History
Coming traces back to the verb come, which has deep language roots in Old English (cuman). That older form came from the broader family of Germanic languages.
Over the centuries, the spelling settled into the shape we use now. The -ing ending stayed stable, and the silent e on the base word simply fell away.
That long, steady history helps explain why comming never took hold. No major era of English spelling treated it as the standard form.
Phrases Containing
You’ll bump into coming in many fixed phrases. A handful of favorites:
- Coming soon
- Coming home
- Coming of age
- Coming of spring
- Saw it coming
- What’s coming next
Each one keeps the same single “m.” You can use them in journalism, marketing, or casual conversation without worry.
Quick Proofreading Checklist
Before you send anything important, run through this short list:
- Is it coming with one “m”?
- Did the base word come lose its silent e?
- Does the word look right when you read it out loud?
- Did you check business emails, resumes, and reports twice?
It takes less than a minute. Considering what a typo can cost your credibility, that’s a bargain.
Conclusion
The rule is clean. Coming is the correct spelling, and comming is a misspelling you can safely delete from your habits.Come drops its silent e, adds -ing, and you get coming. No second “m” needed.
Now it’s your turn. Which spelling trap trips you up the most? Drop it in the comments, and share this guide with someone who still types the extra “m.”
FAQs
Is it coming or comming?
Coming is the correct spelling. Comming is a misspelling and doesn’t appear in standard dictionaries.
Why does coming have only one “m”?
The base word come ends in a silent e. You drop that e and add -ing, so no extra letter is needed.
Does the consonant doubling rule apply to come?
No. That rule covers short words ending in a single vowel plus a single consonant, like run and running. Come ends in a vowel, so it follows the silent e rule instead.
Is comming ever correct in British English or other varieties?
No. Comming isn’t accepted in American English, British English, or any other standard variety.
What does coming mean?
It describes something approaching or about to happen, like “the coming year.” It’s also the present participle of come, as in “She is coming home.”
Can I use comming in a text message?
You can, but you shouldn’t. Friends will understand, but it’s an easy habit to fix, and it keeps the typo out of your emails and resumes.
How can I remember the right spelling?
Check whether the base word ends in an e. If it does, drop the e and add -ing, just like make becomes making and write becomes writing.
Will spell check catch comming?
Usually, yes. Some apps skip proofing, though, so a quick read before you send is still worth it.
If you’d like, I can add these to the article file and include FAQ schema markup for search results.

Mubeen is a passionate writer who shares simple and practical English grammar, vocabulary, and writing tips at ScoopVisly.
