Many English writers pause when spelling occurring. Should it have one r or two? Is occurring correct, or is occuring acceptable?
The answer is simple: occurring is the correct spelling in standard English. Occuring is a common misspelling and should be avoided in formal and everyday writing.
This mistake happens because English spelling rules can be confusing, especially when verbs ending in -r take the suffix -ing. Knowing why occurring has two rs will help you spell it correctly every time.
In this guide, you’ll learn the difference between occurring and occuring, why one spelling is correct, common mistakes to avoid, and practical examples you can use with confidence.
Quick Answer
If you’re wondering which spelling to use, the answer is straightforward:
- Occurring , Correct spelling
- Occuring , Incorrect spelling
Examples:
- The meeting is occurring this afternoon.
- Several changes are occurring within the company.
- The event is occurring earlier than expected.
Incorrect examples:
- The meeting is occuring this afternoon.
- Several changes are occuring within the company.
Whenever you need the present participle or adjective form of occur, always use occurring.
Why People Confuse Them
The confusion usually comes from English spelling patterns.
Many verbs simply add -ing to form the present participle.
For example:
- walk → walking
- open → opening
- visit → visiting
Because of these familiar patterns, some writers assume occur becomes occuring.
However, occur follows a different spelling rule.
When a one-syllable verb ends with:
- one vowel
- followed by one final consonant
the final consonant is often doubled before adding -ing.
That’s why:
- occur → occurring
- refer → referring
- begin → beginning
- admit → admitting
The extra r is not optional. It is required by standard English spelling conventions.
Another reason for the confusion is that occurring contains two pairs of repeated letters:
- cc
- rr
Seeing so many repeated letters makes it easy for writers to accidentally leave one out.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Context | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Standard English | Occurring | Correct spelling recognized by dictionaries |
| Academic writing | Occurring | Accepted in schools and universities |
| Business writing | Occurring | Professional and correct |
| Emails and reports | Occurring | Standard usage |
| Everyday writing | Occurring | Correct spelling |
| Occuring | Avoid | Common misspelling |
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Occurring | Occuring |
|---|---|---|
| Correct spelling | ✔ Yes | ✘ No |
| Found in dictionaries | ✔ Yes | ✘ No |
| Suitable for formal writing | ✔ Yes | ✘ No |
| Present participle of occur | ✔ Yes | ✘ No |
| Recommended in school writing | ✔ Yes | ✘ No |
Meaning and Usage Difference
Although occurring and occuring look almost identical, only one is considered correct.
Occurring
Occurring is the present participle and -ing form of the verb occur, which means:
- to happen
- to take place
- to exist
- to come to mind
Examples:
- The accident is occurring near the highway.
- Significant changes are occurring across the industry.
- The festival is occurring earlier this year.
- The problem keeps occurring despite several repairs.
You can also use occurring as an adjective.
Examples:
- Naturally occurring minerals are found underground.
- Scientists studied the naturally occurring bacteria.
- The park protects many naturally occurring plants.
In every example above, occurring is the correct spelling.
Occuring
Occuring is a misspelling of occurring.
Examples of incorrect usage:
- ❌ The event is occuring tomorrow.
- ❌ New problems are occuring every week.
- ❌ Naturally occuring chemicals were studied.
Correct versions:
- ✔ The event is occurring tomorrow.
- ✔ New problems are occurring every week.
- ✔ Naturally occurring chemicals were studied.
Whenever you’re writing about something happening or taking place, remember that the correct spelling includes two rs.
Pronunciation
Both spellings would be pronounced the same if spoken aloud.
A simple pronunciation guide is:
uh-KUR-ing
Because pronunciation doesn’t reveal the spelling, many people accidentally write occuring instead of occurring.
Remember:
You hear one sound, but you write two r’s.
Parts of Speech
Occurring
Occurring functions as:
- the present participle of occur
- an adjective in certain contexts
Examples as a verb:
- The ceremony is occurring tonight.
- Several improvements are occurring this month.
Examples as an adjective:
- Naturally occurring minerals are valuable.
- The researchers examined naturally occurring compounds.
Occuring
Occuring is not recognized as a standard English word.
If you intend to use the -ing form of occur, the correct spelling is always occurring.
Learning this simple spelling rule will help you avoid one of the most common writing mistakes and make your English appear more polished and professional.
Tone, Context, and Formality
The choice between occurring and occuring is not a matter of style or personal preference. It is simply a question of correct spelling. In standard American English, occurring is always the correct form, while occuring is considered a spelling mistake.
Whether you’re writing an academic paper, business email, blog post, or text message, occurring is the spelling you should use.
Occurring in Formal Writing
You’ll commonly see occurring in professional and academic writing because it is the accepted spelling.
Examples:
- Several changes are occurring within the organization.
- The conference is occurring over three consecutive days.
- Researchers observed naturally occurring minerals.
- A rare weather event is occurring across the region.
Using the correct spelling helps your writing appear accurate and professional.
Occurring in Everyday Writing
The word is just as common in casual conversations and personal writing.
Examples:
- What’s occurring this weekend?
- Something strange is occurring outside.
- The repairs are occurring faster than expected.
- Traffic delays are occurring throughout the city.
The spelling remains the same regardless of the situation.
Why “Occuring” Looks Convincing
Many writers mistakenly remove one r because they expect the word to follow simpler spelling patterns.
Compare these examples:
- open → opening
- visit → visiting
- offer → offering
Because not every verb doubles its final consonant, people often assume occur becomes occuring.
However, occur follows the consonant-doubling rule, making occurring the only correct spelling.
Which One Should You Use?
The answer is easy to remember.
Always choose occurring when referring to something that is:
- happening
- taking place
- developing
- existing naturally
Examples:
- Construction is occurring throughout downtown.
- Several meetings are occurring this afternoon.
- Naturally occurring gases are found underground.
- Rapid growth is occurring across the industry.
Avoid occuring in ordinary writing.
A Simple Memory Tip
Think of the base word:
occur
It already ends with two r’s.
When adding -ing, you keep both r’s.
occur + ing = occurring
If you write occuring, you’ve accidentally removed one of the letters from the original word.
When One Choice Looks Wrong
To experienced English readers, occuring immediately appears unusual because dictionaries, books, newspapers, and professional publications consistently use occurring.
Compare these examples.
Incorrect:
- New problems are occuring every week.
- The ceremony is occuring tomorrow.
- Naturally occuring chemicals were discovered.
Correct:
- New problems are occurring every week.
- The ceremony is occurring tomorrow.
- Naturally occurring chemicals were discovered.
Once you become familiar with the correct spelling, the incorrect version becomes much easier to spot.
Common Mistakes (and Quick Fixes)
Many spelling mistakes involving occurring follow the same pattern.
Mistake 1: Removing One “R”
❌ The meeting is occuring today.
✔ The meeting is occurring today.
Always keep both r’s.
Mistake 2: Assuming Every Verb Simply Adds “-ing”
Not every verb follows the same pattern.
Correct examples:
- begin → beginning
- admit → admitting
- refer → referring
- occur → occurring
Learning these common irregular spelling patterns will improve your writing.
Mistake 3: Misspelling the Adjective
Incorrect:
- Naturally occuring wildlife.
Correct:
- Naturally occurring wildlife.
The adjective follows exactly the same spelling as the verb form.
Mistake 4: Relying Only on Pronunciation
Because occurring and occuring sound almost identical, pronunciation cannot help you choose the correct spelling.
Instead, remember the written rule:
Occur keeps both r’s before adding -ing.
Mistake 5: Typing Too Quickly
Many spelling mistakes happen during fast typing.
Before publishing your work, quickly check for words that commonly lose repeated letters, including:
- occurring
- referring
- beginning
- accommodating
- regretting
A quick proofread often catches these errors.
Everyday Examples
Here are examples showing the correct use of occurring in everyday situations.
School
- Several activities are occurring during spirit week.
- The science fair is occurring next Friday.
- The teacher explained why the reaction was occurring.
Work
- Staff training is occurring throughout the month.
- Changes are occurring across every department.
- The interview is occurring online this afternoon.
Home
- Repairs are occurring in the kitchen.
- A strange noise is occurring every evening.
- Renovations are occurring faster than expected.
Science
- Scientists studied naturally occurring minerals.
- Naturally occurring bacteria can be beneficial.
- The chemical reaction is occurring at room temperature.
News
- Flooding is occurring in several neighborhoods.
- Strong winds are occurring across the state.
- Delays are occurring because of road construction.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Incorrect:
- The event is occuring tomorrow.
Correct:
- The event is occurring tomorrow.
Incorrect:
- Naturally occuring plants grow here.
Correct:
- Naturally occurring plants grow here.
Incorrect:
- Several problems are occuring.
Correct:
- Several problems are occurring.
Every correct example includes occurring with two r’s. Once you remember that the base verb occur already ends with two r’s, the correct spelling becomes much easier to recall.
Dictionary-Style Word Details
Verb
Occurring:
Occurring is the present participle and -ing form of the verb occur.
Occur means:
- to happen
- to take place
- to exist
- to come to mind
Examples:
- Several changes are occurring this year.
- The ceremony is occurring at the town hall.
- The same issue keeps occurring after every update.
Verb forms of occur:
| Base Form | Past Tense | Past Participle | Present Participle |
|---|---|---|---|
| occur | occurred | occurred | occurring |
Occuring:
Occuring is not a standard English verb form. It is a misspelling of occurring and should be avoided in formal and everyday writing.
Noun
Occurring:
Not commonly used as a noun in standard English.
Occuring:
Not used as a noun in standard English.
The comparison is between the correct and incorrect -ing forms of the verb occur.
Synonyms
The best synonyms depend on how occurring is used in a sentence.
When occurring means happening:
- Happening
- Taking place
- Going on
- Unfolding
- Developing
When occurring means existing naturally:
- Existing
- Found
- Present
- Native
- Natural
Closest plain alternatives:
- Existing
- Taking place
- Appearing
- Arising
Antonyms (when “occurring” means “happening”):
- Ending
- Stopping
- Ceasing
- Disappearing
Occuring:
Because occuring is not the correct spelling, it has no separate synonyms.
Example Sentences
Occurring
- Several exciting events are occurring this weekend.
- The meeting is occurring earlier than planned.
- Naturally occurring minerals are valuable resources.
- A software issue is occurring on older devices.
- Scientists are studying naturally occurring bacteria.
- Unexpected delays are occurring because of the weather.
- The festival is occurring in the city park.
- Positive changes are occurring throughout the organization.
Occuring
The following examples are incorrect in standard English:
The meeting is occuring tomorrow.
Naturally occuring chemicals were found.
Several problems are occuring this week.
Correct versions:
The meeting is occurring tomorrow.
Naturally occurring chemicals were found.
Several problems are occurring this week.
Word History
The word occurring comes from the verb occur, which has been part of English for centuries. As English spelling developed, verbs ending with a stressed vowel followed by r often doubled the final consonant before adding -ing.
This is why the correct form is:
- occur → occurring
The spelling occuring became common because writers accidentally omitted one r, but modern dictionaries and style guides recognize occurring as the standard spelling.
Today, occurring is the accepted form in American and British English.
Phrases Containing
The word occurring appears in many common expressions, especially in academic, scientific, and professional writing.
Examples include:
- naturally occurring
- currently occurring
- frequently occurring
- commonly occurring
- regularly occurring
- rarely occurring
- occurring event
- occurring phenomenon
- occurring condition
- occurring process
These expressions describe events, situations, or conditions that happen or exist.
There are no standard English phrases that use occuring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which spelling is correct: occurring or occuring?
Occurring is the correct spelling. Occuring is a common misspelling.
Why does occurring have two “r”s?
The base verb occur already ends with two rs. When adding -ing, both rs remain, creating occurring.
Is occuring a real word?
No. In standard English, occuring is considered an incorrect spelling of occurring.
How do I remember the correct spelling?
Remember the base word:
occur
Since it already has two rs, simply add -ing:
occur + ing = occurring
Is occurring a verb or an adjective?
It can function as both.
As a verb:
- The ceremony is occurring tonight.
As an adjective:
- Naturally occurring minerals are valuable.
Is occurring used in American and British English?
Yes. Occurring is the standard spelling in both American and British English.
What is the past tense of occur?
The past tense is occurred.
Examples:
- The accident occurred yesterday.
- The meeting occurred on schedule.
Can spell check miss “occuring”?
Some writing programs may overlook it depending on the software or settings. A careful proofread is always a good idea.
Conclusion
Choosing between occurring and occuring is simple once you understand the spelling rule.
Occurring is the correct form of the verb occur and is used whenever you describe something happening, taking place, or existing naturally. It is the accepted spelling in dictionaries, schools, businesses, and professional writing.
Occuring, on the other hand, is a common misspelling that results from accidentally dropping one r. Although it may look reasonable, it is not considered correct in standard English.
A helpful way to remember the correct spelling is to focus on the base word occur. Since occur already ends with two rs, keep both letters when adding -ing.
