Tying or Tieing: Clearing Up the Confusion

Have you ever typed out a sentence, paused, and stared at the word “tieing,” wondering, “Wait… is that right?” If so, you’re definitely not alone. This little spelling speed bump has tripped up writers of all levels—from students and bloggers to professionals. At first glance, tieing looks like it should be correct. After all, the base word is “tie,” so why not just add “-ing,” right?

Well, not exactly.

English spelling rules aren’t always as logical as we’d like them to be. In fact, some of the most commonly used words in the language come with quirky exceptions and strange patterns. “Tie” is one of them. It seems simple, but when you try to turn it into its present participle, that extra “e” becomes a problem.

You’re here because you want clarity, and that’s exactly what you’ll get. This guide isn’t just going to tell you which form is right—it’s going to help you understand why. We’ll look at spelling rules, grammar quirks, real-life examples, common usage, and how even advanced spellcheckers sometimes steer us wrong.

By the end of this article, you’ll not only know whether “tying” or “tieing” is correct—you’ll also remember the rule for life.

Let’s finally untangle this spelling knot together.

What’s the Real Problem Here?

Let’s start with the basics. The word “tie” is a verb. We use it all the time:

• I tie my shoes.
• Let’s tie the game!
• She tied the knot—literally and figuratively.

So, when you want to describe the ongoing action of tying something, you need the present participle form. That usually means adding “-ing” to the verb. Sounds easy, right?

But here’s where the confusion sets in. Should it be:

• Tying
  or
• Tieing

If you’re leaning toward “tieing,” you’re probably thinking logically. That’s a good instinct. After all, for most verbs, adding “-ing” is just a matter of tacking it on the end.

But English has rules—and exceptions to those rules. And when a word ends in a silent “e,” things change.

The Rule You Need to Remember

Here’s the golden rule you’ll want to tattoo on your brain:

When a verb ends in a silent “e”, you drop the “e” before adding “-ing.”

That means:

• Make → Making
• Write → Writing
• Come → Coming
• Bake → Baking
• Tie → Tying

So, the correct form is tying—not tieing.

Why It Works

The silent “e” helps in the base word to control pronunciation. But once you add “-ing,” it’s no longer needed. In fact, keeping the “e” makes the word look awkward and incorrect. That’s why we drop it.

This is a standard spelling convention in English, and it applies to most verbs that end in a single silent “e.”

Is “Tieing” Ever Correct?

This is where it gets a little nuanced.

Technically, no, tieing is not considered standard or correct in modern English usage. If you run “tieing” through Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or Grammarly, it’ll probably get flagged as a spelling error.

But… Is It Ever Used?

In rare cases, tieing might appear in brand names, trademarks, or creative writing, but that’s more about stylistic choice than grammar accuracy.

For instance, you might find “tieing” used in very old literature or on a company’s website where they’ve chosen to stylize the word a certain way—but in everyday writing, it’s incorrect.

Here’s the rule of thumb:

If you’re writing an essay, blog, email, or any professional or academic content, always use “tying.”

Real-World Examples of “Tying” in Context

Let’s take a look at some everyday examples where tying is used properly:

• He was tying his shoelaces when the fire alarm went off.
• The teams were tying for first place before the final round.
• She’s tying the knot this weekend.
• They’re tying down the tent before the storm hits.
• Tying loose ends is important in project management.

Notice how natural and familiar “tying” feels? That’s because it’s been used correctly so many times, our brains recognize it as the right choice—even if we second-guess the spelling once in a while.

Why Do So Many People Still Use “Tieing”?

There are a few reasons:

1. It Looks Logical

“Tie” becomes “tieing”—seems simple. But simple doesn’t mean correct in English.

2. Lack of Spelling Instruction

Many schools focus more on reading comprehension than spelling mechanics, so these finer points get skipped.

3. Auto-correct Fails

Some auto-correct systems don’t catch every error—or worse, introduce them.

4. Similar Words Confuse People

Words like seeing or freeing keep their “e,” so people assume all verbs do.

But those are exceptions because of how they end—more on that next.

Other Verbs That Follow This Pattern

You’re not just learning a rule about “tie.” You’re learning a spelling pattern you can use elsewhere. Here are more verbs that drop the “e” before “-ing”:

Notice how all of these follow the same structure?

That’s the power of learning rules, not just individual words.

Quick Memory Tricks to Lock It In

Want to remember this rule forever? Try these fun mental cues:

• “The e gets shy and runs away when -ing shows up!”
• Think of the word “tying” like “flying”—same rhythm, same logic.
• Picture “tie” getting a haircut. The “e” gets snipped off!
• Repeat a sentence: “I’m tying a bow, not tieing a mistake.”

Repetition with humor and visuals helps anchor memory.

Spelling Errors in the Digital Age

With so many people typing quickly on phones and laptops, it’s no surprise that spelling errors pop up everywhere.

Even Spellcheck Can Be Wrong

• Some apps ignore “tieing” entirely, while others autocorrect it to “tying.”

Don’t trust auto-correct blindly—it’s not always smarter than you.

What Do Dictionaries and Style Guides Say?

Let’s go straight to the authority:

• Merriam-Webster: Only lists tying as the correct participle of tie.
• Cambridge Dictionary: Same.
• Oxford English Dictionary: Confirms tieing is nonstandard.

And what about style guides?

• APA, MLA, and Chicago Manual of Style all support “tying” as correct.
• Academic and journalistic standards never accept “tieing.”

Trust the experts—stick with tying.

How English Learners Struggle with This Word

For those learning English as a second language, this confusion is amplified.

Why?

• The spelling rule about dropping the “e” is often taught later.
  
• Some languages (like German or Spanish) don’t drop vowels like English does.
  
• The pronunciation doesn’t help—it sounds the same either way.
  

That’s why extra emphasis and real-world practice are essential for learners.

10 Expert Tips to Become a Spelling Pro

Here’s how to master words like “tying” and avoid embarrassing errors:

1. Know the Rule: Drop the silent “e” before adding “-ing.”
2. Read Aloud: You’ll often hear what looks wrong.
3. Practice in Sentences: Use the word in a few of your own.
4. Quiz Yourself: Spelling quizzes reinforce retention.
5. Use Flashcards: Visual repetition matters.
6. Download Grammar Apps: Grammarly, Hemingway, etc.
7. Keep a Word List: Track words that trip you up.
8. Read Quality Writing: Exposure to correct spelling helps.
9. Write by Hand: Muscle memory improves accuracy.
10. Teach Someone Else: Explaining a rule helps lock it in.

“Tying” in Different Contexts

Don’t forget, “tying” isn’t just about shoelaces. You’ll find it in all kinds of situations:

• Sports: The teams are tying at halftime.
• Relationships: They’re tying the knot this summer.
• Logistics: He’s tying the boxes together before shipping.
• Legal: She’s tying him to the contract.
• Metaphorical: Tying up loose ends before launch day.

Understanding context makes the word stick better in your mind.

Final Thoughts: Never Second-Guess It Again

By now, you should feel confident every time you write the word “tying.” It’s not just about memorizing one word—it’s about understanding a whole rule that applies across dozens of English verbs.

Here’s your one-line takeaway:

Always drop the silent “e” before adding “-ing” to a verb like “tie.” So the correct form is tying, not tieing.

Bella Rae