Shovelled vs. Shoveled — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 13, 2024
Shovelled emphasizes the British spelling with a double 'l', while Shoveled adopts the American convention with a single 'l'.
Difference Between Shovelled and Shoveled
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Key Differences
Shovelled is the past tense and past participle of 'shovel' in British English, characterized by its double 'l'. It's used to describe the act of moving or removing material with a shovel. On the other hand, Shoveled follows the American English spelling convention, using a single 'l'. It carries the same meaning, referring to the act of digging, moving, or clearing away material, such as snow or dirt, with a shovel.
In British English, the preference for doubling consonants in certain verb forms extends beyond 'shovelled' to words like 'travelled' or 'labelled', maintaining a pattern in linguistic tradition. Whereas, in American English, the trend leans towards simplification, often eliminating the double consonant in the past tense forms, leading to spellings like 'traveled' and 'labeled'.
The choice between 'shovelled' and 'shoveled' can also reflect the writer's or speaker's geographical or cultural identity, subtly indicating their familiarity with either British or American English norms. While 'shovelled' might be more commonly seen in UK publications and writings, 'shoveled' is predominant in US contexts.
Despite the spelling difference, the pronunciation of 'shovelled' and 'shoveled' remains largely identical in both British and American English, emphasizing the phonetic similarities over orthographic distinctions. This consistency in pronunciation helps maintain a level of mutual intelligibility between the two variants.
The spelling variations between 'shovelled' and 'shoveled' also extend to other forms of the word, such as 'shovelling' in British English and 'shoveling' in American English, further illustrating the systematic nature of these orthographic differences.
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Comparison Chart
Spelling Convention
British English, double 'l'
American English, single 'l'
Pronunciation
Identical to American spelling
Identical to British spelling
Usage Context
Preferred in UK and Commonwealth
Preferred in the US
Derived Forms
Shovelling (British English)
Shoveling (American English)
Example Sentence
"He shovelled the snow off the path"
"He shoveled the snow off the path"
Compare with Definitions
Shovelled
British Past Tense.
He shovelled the dirt into the wheelbarrow.
Shoveled
Single 'L' Usage.
American English simplifies the spelling to 'shoveled'.
Shovelled
Reflects UK Spelling Rules.
The spelling 'shovelled' adheres to traditional UK conventions.
Shoveled
American Past Tense.
He shoveled the walkway after the snowstorm.
Shovelled
Commonwealth Preference.
Countries in the Commonwealth prefer 'shovelled' for past tense.
Shoveled
US Preference.
In the United States, 'shoveled' is the standard spelling.
Shovelled
Double 'L' Usage.
In British English, words like 'shovelled' often double the consonant before adding the ending.
Shoveled
Reflects US Spelling Simplification.
'Shoveled' is an example of American English's trend towards simpler spellings.
Shovelled
Used in Past Actions.
She shovelled the snow quickly to clear the path.
Shoveled
Used in Past Actions.
They shoveled sand for hours to fill the playground.
Shovelled
A tool with a handle and a broad scoop or blade for digging and moving material, such as dirt or snow.
Shoveled
A tool with a handle and a broad scoop or blade for digging and moving material, such as dirt or snow.
Shovelled
A large mechanical device or vehicle for heavy digging or excavation.
Shoveled
A large mechanical device or vehicle for heavy digging or excavation.
Shovelled
The amount that a shovel can hold; a shovelful
One shovel of dirt.
Shoveled
The amount that a shovel can hold; a shovelful
One shovel of dirt.
Shovelled
To move or remove with a shovel.
Shoveled
To move or remove with a shovel.
Shovelled
To make with a shovel
Shoveled a path through the snow.
Shoveled
To make with a shovel
Shoveled a path through the snow.
Shovelled
To convey or throw in a rough or hasty way, as if with a shovel
He shoveled the food into his mouth.
Shoveled
To convey or throw in a rough or hasty way, as if with a shovel
He shoveled the food into his mouth.
Shovelled
To clear or excavate with or as if with a shovel
Shoveling off the driveway after the snowstorm.
Shovels out the hall closet once a year.
Shoveled
To clear or excavate with or as if with a shovel
Shoveling off the driveway after the snowstorm.
Shovels out the hall closet once a year.
Shovelled
To dig or work with a shovel.
Shoveled
To dig or work with a shovel.
Shovelled
Simple past tense and past participle of shovel
I shovelled the snow off of my sidewalk.
Shoveled
Simple past tense and past participle of shovel
I shoveled the snow off of my sidewalk.
Common Curiosities
Is 'shovelled' considered incorrect in American English?
It's not incorrect but is less common and can be seen as a British spelling by American English speakers.
Can 'shovelled' and 'shoveled' be used interchangeably?
In terms of meaning, yes, but the choice depends on the regional spelling preference.
What is the main difference between 'shovelled' and 'shoveled'?
The main difference is the spelling convention: 'shovelled' is British English with a double 'l', while 'shoveled' is American English with a single 'l'.
Why does British English use 'shovelled' instead of 'shoveled'?
British English often doubles consonants in verb forms before adding endings, a rule that applies to 'shovelled'.
In which English-speaking countries is 'shovelled' more common?
'Shovelled' is more common in the UK and Commonwealth countries.
How does the choice between 'shovelled' and 'shoveled' affect writing?
It can reflect the writer's cultural or geographical background and adherence to regional spelling conventions.
Are 'shovelled' and 'shoveled' pronounced differently?
No, they are pronounced the same way despite the spelling difference.
Can using 'shovelled' in an American context be seen as an error?
While not strictly an error, it may be marked as a Britishism or unusual spelling choice.
What is the past participle form of 'shovel' in British English?
The past participle form is 'shovelled' in British English.
Does the difference between 'shovelled' and 'shoveled' impact comprehension?
No, the difference is purely orthographic and does not affect understanding.
What is the past participle form of 'shovel' in American English?
The past participle form is 'shoveled' in American English.
Are there other words that follow the same spelling pattern as 'shovelled' and 'shoveled'?
Yes, words like 'travelled/traveled' and 'labelled/labeled' follow similar patterns.
Is 'shovelled' ever used in American English?
It might be used, but it's far less common than 'shoveled'.
Is there a difference in usage between 'shovelled' and 'shoveled' besides spelling?
No, the usage and meaning are the same; the difference is strictly in spelling.
In which English-speaking countries is 'shoveled' more common?
'Shoveled' is more common in the United States.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
