Editted vs. Edited – Which is Correct?
The correct spelling is edited. The word “editted” is a common misspelling and should be avoided in all written communication. “Edited” is the past tense and past participle of the verb “to edit,” meaning to prepare written material for publication by correcting, revising, or adapting it.
editted or edited – Which is Correct?
When faced with the choice between “editted” and “edited,” always opt for edited. The version with a single ‘t’ is the grammatically correct past tense and past participle form of the verb “to edit.” The misspelling “editted” frequently arises from a common phonetic confusion, as many verbs ending in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel double the consonant before adding ‘-ed’ (e.g., “stop” becomes “stopped,” “plan” becomes “planned”). However, “edit” does not follow this rule because the stress is on the first syllable, and the ‘i’ is short, but the rule for doubling typically applies when the stress is on the final syllable of a multi-syllable word, or for single-syllable words.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
To remember that “edited” has only one ‘t’, think of its root word: “edit.” The root word itself has only one ‘t’. When you add the past tense suffix “-ed,” the ‘t’ does not double. So, if the base word is “edit,” the past tense must be “edit + ed,” not “editt + ed.”
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| edited | Verb (past tense/past participle), Adjective | Prepared for publication or presentation; revised or corrected. | The author edited the manuscript before submission. |
| editted | Incorrect | Misspelling of “edited.” | This word is incorrect and should not be used. |
How to Use edited
“Edited” is a versatile word, functioning primarily as the past tense and past participle of the verb “to edit.” It can also act as an adjective to describe something that has undergone the editing process. Its usage is standard in both formal and informal contexts, referring to the act of making changes, corrections, or improvements to text, audio, video, or other media.
Example 1: The journalist edited her article thoroughly before the deadline.
Example 2: All the photographs in the gallery were carefully edited to enhance their colors.
Example 3: He submitted the edited version of his essay to his professor.
What are the different forms of edited?
As a verb, “edit” follows a regular conjugation pattern. “Edited” serves as both the simple past tense and the past participle. Here are its primary forms:
- Base form: edit (e.g., “I edit”)
- Present participle: editing (e.g., “I am editing”)
- Simple past: edited (e.g., “I edited”)
- Past participle: edited (e.g., “I have edited”)
- Third person singular present: edits (e.g., “He edits”)
Etymology of the word edited
The word “edit” traces its origins back to the late 18th century, derived from the French word éditer, meaning “to publish.” This, in turn, comes from the Latin editus, the past participle of edere, which means “to put forth” or “to publish.” The Latin root ex- means “out” and dare means “to give.” Initially, “edit” was primarily associated with preparing texts for publication, but its meaning has expanded over time to include any process of revision or correction across various media.
Related Concepts
Understanding related grammatical concepts can help reinforce why “edited” is the correct choice and why certain spelling rules apply.
- Regular Verbs: “Edit” is a regular verb, meaning its past tense and past participle forms are created by simply adding “-ed” to the base form (edit → edited), unlike irregular verbs (e.g., go → went → gone).
- Doubling Rule for Consonants: The general rule for doubling the final consonant before adding “-ed” (e.g., “stop” → “stopped”) applies to single-syllable verbs ending in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, or multi-syllable verbs where the stress is on the final syllable. “Edit” does not meet these criteria because the stress is on the first syllable (“ED-it”).
Examples from Media and Literature
Observing “edited” in various contexts highlights its correct usage and prevalence in published works.
- “The classic novel was re-released with a newly edited introduction by a contemporary scholar.”
- “In the director’s cut, several scenes that were originally removed have been re-inserted and carefully edited.”
- “News reports often undergo a rigorous process where every paragraph is fact-checked and edited for clarity and accuracy.”
- “The podcast episode was seamlessly edited, making the conversation flow naturally without any awkward pauses.”
- “She spent the entire weekend meticulously edited her dissertation, ensuring every citation was perfect.”
edited Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Revised | Examined and corrected or improved. |
| Corrected | Made right or accurate. |
| Proofread | Read and marked for correction. |
| Refined | Improved by the removal of impurities or unwanted elements. |
| Amended | Made minor improvements or changes to. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Why do people often misspell “edited” as “editted”?
The misspelling “editted” often occurs due to a common English spelling rule where a final consonant is doubled before adding “-ed” if the preceding vowel is short and the stress is on the last syllable (e.g., “permit” → “permitted”). However, “edit” is stressed on the first syllable (ED-it), so the ‘t’ is not doubled.
Question 2: Does “edited” have any other correct spellings?
No, “edited” is the only correct spelling in both American and British English for the past tense and past participle of “to edit.” There are no alternative correct spellings.
Question 3: Can “edited” be used as an adjective?
Yes, “edited” can function as an adjective. For example, you can refer to an “edited manuscript,” an “edited video,” or an “edited version” of a document, where it describes the state of the item after being revised or corrected.
Conclusion
In the perennial debate of “editted or edited,” the answer is unequivocally edited. This is the correct past tense and past participle of the verb “to edit,” and its spelling remains consistent across all English dialects. Remembering that the base word “edit” has a single ‘t’ is the simplest way to avoid the common misspelling. A single ‘t’ is all it takes to convey clarity and professionalism in your writing. Pro Tip: Always double-check spellings of frequently confused words to maintain a strong professional reputation in all your communications.
