Signalled vs. Signaled — What's the Difference?

Signalling (with a double "l") follows the British English convention of adding an extra "l" when forming the past tense of verbs ending in a vowel plus "l," such as signalling or cancelled. On the other hand, signaled (with a single "l") adheres to the American English practice, which typically does not double the final "l" in such cases, resulting in forms like signaling or canceled.

While both "signalled" and "signaled" represent the action of making a signal or indication, the choice between them depends on the variant of English being used. Writers or speakers in the UK, Australia, and other parts of the Commonwealth are more likely to use "signalled," whereas those in the United States will prefer "signaled."

The difference in spelling does not reflect a difference in meaning or pronunciation. Both spellings convey the same action of communicating information through gestures, signs, lights, or other means, and they sound identical when spoken.

This distinction is part of a broader pattern of spelling differences between British and American English, which also includes words like "favour" vs. "favor" and "colour" vs. "color." Understanding these differences is crucial for maintaining consistency in writing and ensuring that it adheres to the conventions of the intended audience's form of English.

In digital communication and global contexts, the prevalence of both forms has led to increased familiarity among non-native speakers and writers with both British and American spellings. However, the choice of spelling can still signify the writer's cultural or linguistic background or the intended audience's preferences.