Quick Answer
Transferring is the correct spelling; transfering is incorrect in standard English. For example, “She is transferring to another department” is correct, while “She is transfering to another department” is not.
When writing about moving something from one person, place, or account to another, you may wonder whether the correct spelling is transferring or transfering. These two forms look almost identical, but only one follows standard English spelling rules. Understanding the correct form can help you avoid a common mistake in emails, schoolwork, business writing, and everyday communication.
The correct spelling is transferring, with a double r. It comes from the verb transfer, and the final consonant doubles when the suffix -ing is added. For example, you can write, “She is transferring the files to another folder.” Transfering with one r is considered incorrect in standard English.
Why People Confuse Them
The confusion comes from the spelling of the verb transfer when we add the -ing ending. Many learners expect the usual pattern of simply adding -ing, which would appear to produce transfering. However, English doubles the final consonant in this case.
The correct form is transferring, with two r’s. Cambridge specifically lists transfer/transferred/transferring among verbs that double the final consonant before -ed and -ing.
This rule also explains why related forms contain a double r:
- transfer
- transferred
- transferring
So, if you are writing an email, report, application, or school assignment, choose transferring.
Meaning of Transfering
Definition
Transfering is not the standard English spelling of the present participle or gerund of transfer.
The intended word is almost always transferring.
For example:
- Incorrect: “He is transfering the files.”
- Correct: “He is transferring the files.”
Parts of Speech
Transfering does not function as a standard dictionary form in this context. It is usually a spelling error caused by leaving out one r.
The standard forms are:
- transfer base verb
- transferred past tense and past participle
- transferring present participle and gerund
- transfers third person singular present
Meaning of Transferring
Definition
Transferring means moving someone or something from one place, person, group, or position to another. It can also describe changing jobs, schools, teams, departments, or other affiliations.
For example, someone can transfer money between accounts, transfer a student to another school, or transfer a phone call to another department.
Parts of Speech
Transferring can work as a present participle or gerund.
As a present participle:
“The company is transferring employees to its new office.”
As a gerund:
“Transferring to another department requires approval.”
Forms of Transfer
| Form | Correct spelling | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Base form | transfer | I need to transfer the files. |
| Third-person singular | transfers | She transfers money every month. |
| Past tense | transferred | They transferred the account yesterday. |
| Past participle | transferred | The funds have been transferred. |
| Present participle | transferring | We are transferring the data now. |
Cambridge gives transferring as the correct -ing form and shows -rr- in the verb’s spelling.
Real-World Examples
- “The bank is transferring the funds today.”
- “Maria is transferring to a different university.”
- “The manager is transferring the project to our team.”
- “We are transferring the documents to a secure server.”
Notice that every example uses transferring, not transfering.
Pronunciation
The two spellings do not represent different pronunciations. Transfering is simply a misspelling of transferring.
Cambridge gives the American pronunciation of the verb transfer as /ˈtræns.fɝː/, while British English commonly uses /trænsˈfɜːr/.
| Word | US IPA | UK IPA | Simple pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| transfer | /ˈtræns.fɝː/ | /trænsˈfɜːr/ | TRANS-fer (US) |
| transferring | Based on transfer + -ing | Based on transfer + -ing | TRANS-fur-ing |
| transfering | Not standard | Not standard | Not a standard spelling |
The stress pattern of transfer can differ between American and British English, especially when comparing verb and noun forms. Cambridge lists the US verb as /ˈtræns.fɝː/ and the noun as /ˈtræns.fɝː/, while its UK entries use a different stress pattern for the verb.
Transfering or Transferring: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Transfering | Transferring |
|---|---|---|
| Spelling | Incorrect | Correct |
| Meaning | Intended to mean moving something | Moving something or someone |
| Part of speech | Nonstandard spelling | Gerund or present participle |
| Pronunciation | Not a standard word | Based on transfer |
| Forms | Incorrect form | Correct -ing form |
| Standard English | No | Yes |
| Example | “He is transfering files.” | “He is transferring files.” |
The key difference is simple: transferring has two r’s.
Why Does the R Double?
English spelling rules often double a final consonant when a stressed, one-syllable ending pattern takes a suffix beginning with a vowel.
The rule becomes especially clear with verbs such as:
- refer → referring
- prefer → preferring
- occur → occurring
- transfer → transferring
Cambridge’s grammar guidance specifically groups transfer with refer, prefer, and occur as verbs that double the final consonant before -ing.
Common Phrases and Idioms
- Transferring money means moving money from one account or person to another.
- Transferring files means moving digital files from one device, system, or location to another.
- Transferring ownership means changing legal ownership from one person or organization to another.
- Transferring responsibility means giving control or responsibility to another person or group.
- Transferring to another school means moving from one educational institution to another.
- Transferring departments means moving from one department or organizational unit to another.
- Transferring a call means connecting a phone call to another person or extension.
- Transferring teams usually means moving from one sports team to another.
These uses all come from the central idea of moving something from one place, person, or position to another. Cambridge and Oxford both document these different uses of transfer.
Common Mistakes
| Wrong sentence | Correct sentence | Why |
|---|---|---|
| She is transfering schools. | She is transferring schools. | Double the final r. |
| We are transfering the files. | We are transferring the files. | The standard -ing form is transferring. |
| He is transfering money online. | He is transferring money online. | Transfer becomes transferring. |
| They are transfering the employee. | They are transferring the employee. | The final consonant doubles. |
| I am transfering to another team. | I am transferring to another team. | Transfer + ing = transferring. |
A useful check is to remember the past form as well. If you know transferred has two r’s, transferring should look familiar.
Word Origin
Transfer comes from Latin transferre, meaning “to carry across” or “to carry over.” The word entered English through French or directly from Latin in the late Middle English period. Oxford traces it to French transférer or Latin transferre, from trans- meaning “across” and ferre meaning “to bear.”
The spelling of transferring developed from this established English verb. The double r follows the spelling pattern used when forming certain inflected forms of transfer. Etymological sources also record transferred and transferring as the related forms of the verb.
Easy Memory Tricks
Think “Transfer + Ring”
Imagine adding a ring to the word transfer:
transfer + ring → transferring
The extra r becomes easier to remember.
Remember the Family
Learn these forms together:
transfer → transferred → transferring
All three forms keep the double r when the ending requires it.
Compare It With “Refer”
If you know:
refer → referring
then you can remember:
transfer → transferring
Both verbs double the final r before -ing.
Mini Quiz
Fill in each blank with transfering or transferring.
- The bank is ______ the payment now.
- She is ______ to a new department.
- We are ______ the photos to another computer.
- He is ______ schools next semester.
- The company is ______ the project to another team.
Answers
- transferring
- transferring
- transferring
- transferring
- transferring
If you selected transferring every time, you have mastered the spelling difference.
FAQs
Is transfering or transferring correct?
Transferring is correct. Transfering is a misspelling.
Why does transferring have two r’s?
The final r doubles when transfer takes the -ing ending. Cambridge lists transferring alongside forms such as referring and preferring.
Is transfering a word?
No. Transfering is not the standard spelling of the -ing form of transfer.
What is the past tense of transfer?
The past tense is transferred, with two r’s. For example, “The company transferred the employee.”
What is the present participle of transfer?
The present participle is transferring. For example, “They are transferring the files.”
Is transferring spelled with one or two r’s?
It is spelled with two r’s: transferring.
Conclusion
Transferring is the correct spelling, while transfering is a common spelling error.Use transferring when describing an action involving a move, change, or shift.Remember the pattern: transfer, transferred, transferring.When in doubt, keep the extra r: transferring is the right choice.
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Andrew Cooper is a blogger and writer at Gramscript.com, turning everyday ideas into clear, engaging stories. His writing blends curiosity, insight and a genuinely human perspective.