If you are wondering whether “occurring” or “occuring” is correct, the answer is simple: occurring is the correct spelling. Occuring is a misspelling.
The confusion is understandable because the base verb is occur, and adding -ing can make the spelling look unusual. The key is to keep the final r doubled: occur → occurring. Authoritative dictionaries, including Cambridge Dictionary and Merriam-Webster, list occurring as the present participle of occur.
This guide explains why the spelling has two cs and two rs, how occurring differs from occurred, when to use the word in formal and everyday writing, and how to avoid related mistakes such as occuring, occured, and occurence.
Occurring or Occuring Quick Answer
Correct: occurring
Incorrect: occuring
Occurring is the present participle of the verb occur, meaning “happening,” “taking place,” or, in some contexts, “existing or being present.” Cambridge lists occurring as the present participle of occur, while Merriam-Webster gives the forms occurred and occurring.
Examples
- The meeting is occurring as planned.
- Several changes are occurring in the industry.
- The problem is occurring more frequently.
Memory tip
Think:
occur + ing = occurring
The double r stays when you add -ing.
Why Is “Occurring” Spelled With Two Rs?
The spelling comes from the base verb occur. When -ing is added, the word becomes occurring, not occuring.
The important point is that occur already ends in “rr.” Adding -ing does not remove one of those letters.
| Word | Correct? | Why |
| occur | ✓ | Base verb |
| occurring | ✓ | Present participle |
| occurred | ✓ | Past tense/past participle |
| occuring | ✗ | Missing an r |
| occured | ✗ | Missing an r |
| occurence | ✗ | Missing an r in the noun |
Merriam-Webster specifically gives the forms occurred; occurring, confirming the doubled r in both forms.
Why this matters
A single missing letter can change a correctly spelled professional document into one containing an obvious spelling error. This matters especially in résumés, academic papers, reports, emails, and published content.
Practical rule
When you see occur, remember that its common derived forms retain the double r:
- occur
- occurs
- occurring
- occurred
- occurrence
Key takeaway: If the word begins with occur-, keep the spelling intact unless the word has a different established form.
What Does “Occurring” Mean?
Occurring is the present participle of occur. The verb occur can mean that something happens, takes place, exists, or is present. Cambridge gives both “to happen” and “to exist or be present” among its meanings.
The meaning depends on the sentence.
1. Happening or taking place
The accident is occurring right now.
Here, occurring means happening.
2. Existing or being present
The mineral occurs naturally in several regions.
Here, occur means to be found or present, rather than simply “to happen.” Merriam-Webster also identifies this sense of occur.
3. Developing or taking place over time
Major changes are occurring in the workplace.
The word describes a process or change that is happening.
Why the distinction matters
Replacing occurring with happening is often possible, but occur tends to sound more formal. That makes occurring common in academic, scientific, business, technical, and news writing.
Key takeaway: Occurring usually means happening, but occur can also mean being found or present.
Occurring vs. Occuring
This is the main spelling question.
| Spelling | Status | Example |
| occurring | Correct | Changes are occurring rapidly. |
| occuring | Incorrect | Changes are occuring rapidly. |
The incorrect form usually happens because writers remember occur + ing but accidentally remove one of the two rs.
Why the mistake is easy to make
English has many spelling patterns involving doubled consonants. Writers may remember rules such as doubling the final consonant before -ing and incorrectly assume that occur needs only one r before the ending.
But occur already contains rr. The correct form is therefore:
occur + -ing → occurring
Practical advice
If you are unsure, do not rely on how the word looks. Check the base word:
occur → occurring
That simple connection is more reliable than trying to decide whether the word “looks right.”
Key takeaway: Occuring is never the standard spelling of the present participle of occur.
Occurring vs. Occurred vs. Occurs
These three forms are related but serve different grammatical purposes.
| Form | Grammar | Typical use | Example |
| occur | Base verb | After to, modal verbs, etc. | Problems may occur. |
| occurs | Third-person singular present | One thing happens regularly or generally | The problem occurs often. |
| occurred | Past tense/past participle | Something happened in the past | The incident occurred yesterday. |
| occurring | Present participle | Something is happening or being described as ongoing | The incident is occurring now. |
Compare these sentences
Present/simple:
Errors occur when the data is entered incorrectly.
Third-person singular:
The error occurs when the system restarts.
Past:
The error occurred yesterday.
Ongoing action:
The error is occurring again.
Why this matters
Choosing the right form is not just a spelling issue. It affects tense and meaning.
A common mistake is to focus so heavily on spelling that the grammatical role of the word is overlooked.
Key takeaway: Occurring describes an ongoing action or process, while occurred describes something that happened in the past.
How to Use “Occurring” in a Sentence
“Occurring” normally appears as part of a verb phrase or as a participle modifying a noun.
With a form of “be”
The incident is occurring now.
Several changes are occurring simultaneously.
A similar problem was occurring across multiple departments.
This construction emphasizes an action or process in progress.
After a noun
The problems occurring during the test were documented.
Here, occurring during the test describes which problems are being discussed.
In formal writing
Researchers examined factors occurring naturally in the environment.
The report identifies errors occurring during data collection.
These examples show why occurring is useful in academic and technical writing: it can describe a process precisely without repeatedly using phrases such as “that are happening.”
Practical guidance
Use occurring when you need to emphasize something that is happening, developing, or being observed. If a simpler word such as happening fits your audience better, it may be the clearer choice.
Key takeaway: Correct spelling is only half the job; make sure occurring also fits the sentence’s tense and structure.
Occurring in Different Types of Writing
The word is grammatically correct in almost any context, but its tone varies slightly depending on the setting.
| Context | Example | Style note |
| Everyday conversation | What is occurring here? | Grammatically correct, but somewhat formal |
| Business | Changes are occurring across the company. | Professional |
| Academic | The effect is occurring under specific conditions. | Formal |
| Scientific | Reactions occurring at higher temperatures were recorded. | Technical |
| News | Heavy rainfall is occurring across the region. | Neutral/formal |
| We are investigating the issue currently occurring in the system. | Professional | |
| Social media | What’s occurring right now? | Correct, but happening may sound more natural |
An important style point
Correct does not always mean most natural.
In casual conversation, people usually prefer happening:
What is happening?
In formal writing, occurring may be more appropriate:
What is occurring within the system?
The choice depends on audience, tone, and context.
Key takeaway: Use occurring when its formal or precise tone fits the situation; do not use it simply because it sounds more sophisticated.
Occurrence: The Related Noun You Should Also Spell Correctly
A frequent related spelling error is occurence.
The correct noun is occurrence, with double c and double r:
occur → occurrence
Cambridge defines occurrence as something that happens and also uses it for the fact or extent of something existing.
Examples
- Such mistakes are a common occurrence.
- Scientists recorded the occurrence of the phenomenon.
- The report examined the occurrence of errors.
Merriam-Webster likewise defines occurrence as something that occurs or the action or fact of happening or occurring.
Memory trick
Think of the word as:
occur + rence → occurrence
The safest strategy is to remember the family:
occur → occurring → occurred → occurrence
Key takeaway: If you can spell occur, you have the foundation for spelling its most common related forms correctly.
Common Spelling Mistakes
Here are the errors most likely to appear alongside occurring.
| Wrong | Correct | What went wrong |
| occuring | occurring | One r was dropped |
| occured | occurred | One r was dropped |
| occurence | occurrence | One r was dropped |
| occurrance | occurrence | The ending was misspelled |
| occurence | occurrence | Incorrect noun spelling |
Wrong
Several problems are occuring in the system.
Correct
Several problems are occurring in the system.
Wrong
The incident occured yesterday.
Correct
The incident occurred yesterday.
Why these errors happen
The repeated letters make the word visually awkward. Writers may remember the pronunciation but not the exact spelling.
How to avoid them
Use the occur family as your mental reference:
- occur
- occurs
- occurred
- occurring
- occurrence
If you remember that the base word has two c’s and two r’s, most of these errors become easier to catch.
A Simple Decision Guide: Which Form Should You Use?
When writing, ask what you mean.
Are you naming the basic action?
→ Use occur
Problems may occur.
Are you describing something that happens regularly?
→ Use occurs
The error occurs frequently.
Did it happen in the past?
→ Use occurred
The failure occurred last night.
Is it happening or developing now?
→ Use occurring
The failure is occurring again.
Are you naming the event or fact itself?
→ Use occurrence
The failure was an unusual occurrence.
This decision framework prevents both spelling and grammar errors.
Key takeaway: Choose the form based on grammar first, then check the spelling.
Is “Occurring” Too Formal?
Not necessarily. Occurring is a standard English word, but it is more formal than happening in many everyday situations.
Compare:
What is happening outside?
with:
What is occurring outside?
Both are grammatical. The first sounds more conversational; the second sounds more formal or detached.
This difference matters in customer communication, workplace writing, and academic work. Good editing is not about choosing the longest or most formal word. It is about choosing the word that best matches the audience.
Expert writing tip
If a sentence feels unnecessarily stiff, ask whether happening, taking place, or being found would communicate the same idea more naturally.
Key takeaway: Occurring is correct, but clarity and tone should determine whether it is the best choice.
Professional Editing Tips for “Occurring”
If you are editing an article, report, paper, or business document, check these five points:
- Check the spelling: It is occurring, not occuring.
- Check the tense: Use occurring for an ongoing process.
- Check the tone: Happening may be better for casual readers.
- Check the meaning: Occur can mean either “happen” or “be present.”
- Check repetition: If occurring appears several times close together, revise only where another precise word improves readability.
Example edit
Less natural:
The issue occurring in the department is an issue that is currently occurring because of a system change.
Better:
The issue is occurring because of a recent system change.
The second sentence is not better because it uses a different keyword. It is better because it removes unnecessary repetition.
Key takeaway: Strong editing considers spelling, grammar, meaning, tone, and economy at the same time.
Mini Quiz: Can You Choose the Correct Form?
Choose the correct word in each sentence.
1. Several changes are ___ in the industry.
- A. occuring
- B. occurring
Answer: B — occurring
2. The accident ___ at approximately 8 p.m.
- A. occurred
- B. occured
Answer: A — occurred
3. Such errors are a common ___.
- A. occurence
- B. occurrence
Answer: B — occurrence
4. Technical problems may ___ during installation.
- A. occur
- B. occurring
Answer: A — occur
The pattern is straightforward once the word family is clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “occuring” ever correct?
No. In standard English, occuring is a misspelling. The correct present participle is occurring.
Why does occurring have two Rs?
The base verb is occur, which already ends in rr. Its present participle is occurring, so both Rs remain. Merriam-Webster lists the forms occurred and occurring.
Is occurring a verb?
Yes. More precisely, occurring is the present participle of the verb occur. It can appear in progressive verb constructions, such as “is occurring.”
Is occurring the same as happening?
Often, yes, but not always in exactly the same style. Occurring is generally more formal, and occur can also mean that something exists or is found in a particular place or group.
Is “occurred” spelled with two Rs?
Yes. The correct spelling is occurred. The doubled r is retained in the past tense.
What is the noun form of occurring?
The most common related noun is occurrence. It can refer to something that happens or to the fact of something happening or existing.
Is “occurrence” spelled with two Rs?
Yes: occurrence. A common misspelling is occurence, which has only one r before the ending.
Can occurring be used in academic writing?
Yes. It is a standard English word and is common in formal, academic, scientific, and technical contexts. The appropriate choice depends on the sentence and the intended meaning.
Is “occurring” more formal than “happening”?
Usually, occurring has a more formal tone. That does not make it automatically better. In plain-language writing, happening may be easier for readers to understand.
How do you remember the spelling of occurring?
Start with occur and add -ing without dropping the final r:
occur + ing = occurring
A useful word-family memory aid is occur → occurred → occurring → occurrence.
Key Takeaways
- Occurring is the correct spelling.
- Occuring is incorrect.
- Occurring is the present participle of occur.
- Occur can mean “happen” or “be found/present,” depending on context.
- The related forms are occur, occurs, occurred, occurring, and occurrence.
- Occurred and occurring both retain the double r.
- In casual writing, happening may sound more natural; in formal writing, occurring is often appropriate.
- The easiest spelling trick is: occur + ing = occurring.
Editorial Note
This article follows standard modern English spelling and usage as documented by established dictionaries. Dictionary definitions and grammatical forms can vary slightly in wording between sources, but the spelling occurring is consistent across the authoritative references consulted.
References
- Cambridge Dictionary — “Occurring”
- Cambridge Dictionary — “Occur”
- Cambridge Dictionary — “Occurrence”
- Merriam-Webster — “Occur”
- Merriam-Webster — “Occurrence”
Conclusion
If you are choosing between occurring and occuring, choose occurring every time. The extra r is not optional: it belongs to the standard spelling of the word.
The simplest rule to remember is occur → occurring. Once you know that pattern, the related forms occurred and occurrence become much easier to spell correctly as well.
Before publishing or submitting your work, give the word one quick check: two c’s, two r’s — occurring.
David James is an English language enthusiast, writer, and author at StudyNixx, a website dedicated to helping readers understand confusing English words, spelling differences, and commonly mistaken word forms. He focuses on making English language learning simple, practical, and easy to understand.
David is also the author of two books on English language and word usage, where he explores common spelling mistakes, confusing words, and practical ways to improve written English. Through his writing and educational content, he helps students, writers, and everyday English learners choose the right words with confidence.
At StudyNixx, David covers common word comparisons such as summary vs. summery, shiny vs. shiney, spicy vs. spicey, and breached vs. breeched. His goal is to provide clear, useful, and reliable explanations that make English spelling and word usage easier for everyone.