When you want to describe something that is directed toward a particular person, group, audience, or purpose, you may wonder if the correct spelling is targetted or targeted. Both forms may look reasonable because the word comes from target, and English spelling rules can sometimes make doubled consonants confusing.
The correct spelling in standard modern English is targeted. The form targetted is generally considered a misspelling. The confusion happens because some English verbs double their final consonant before adding ed, especially when the final syllable is stressed.
However, target does not normally follow that pattern in standard English. Whether you are writing an email, academic paper, business report, advertisement, or social media post, targeted is the spelling you should use.
Quick Answer
Targeted is the correct and standard spelling. Targetted is generally incorrect. Use targeted when describing something aimed at a particular person, group, audience, location, or purpose.
Why People Confuse It
People often write targetted because English has many verbs that double their final consonant before adding ed.
For example:
• stop becomes stopped
• plan becomes planned
• prefer becomes preferred
• admit becomes admitted
This can make targetted seem logical.
However, spelling rules depend on the structure and pronunciation of the word. Target does not normally double the final t when forming its past tense or past participle.
Therefore:
target + ed = targeted
Not:
target + ted = targetted
First Word: Targeted
Targeted is the correct spelling in standard English.
It is the past tense and past participle of the verb target. It can also function as an adjective.
The verb target means to direct something toward a particular person, group, place, or objective.
Examples
• The company targeted younger customers with its new campaign.
• The advertisement was targeted at college students.
• The program targeted families with limited resources.
• Police conducted a targeted investigation.
• The email was targeted toward a specific audience.
Targeted is widely used in business, marketing, education, technology, medicine, journalism, and everyday English.
Targeted as an Adjective
As an adjective, targeted describes something specifically designed or directed toward a particular target.
For example:
The company launched a targeted advertising campaign.
Here, targeted describes the type of advertising campaign.
Second Word: Targetted
Targetted is generally considered an incorrect spelling in standard modern English.
It may appear occasionally in informal writing, user generated content, or text produced by people who apply the consonant doubling rule incorrectly. However, it is not the standard spelling you should choose in formal or professional writing.
The correct form is:
targeted
Not:
targetted
If you are writing a business document, academic assignment, website, report, application, or professional email, use targeted.
Comparison Table
| Word | Correct? | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Targeted | Yes | Directed toward a specific target | The campaign targeted new customers. |
| Targetted | No in standard English | Intended as the past form of target | Avoid this spelling in standard writing. |
When to Use Each
Use Targeted
Use targeted whenever you need the standard past tense, past participle, or adjective form of target.
Examples:
The campaign targeted local customers.
The company developed targeted advertisements.
The government introduced targeted assistance.
The message was targeted at a specific audience.
Avoid Targetted
Avoid targetted in standard English writing.
If you see this spelling, it is usually an error rather than an alternative spelling that you should adopt.
Examples
Here are more examples showing how targeted is correctly used:
- The company targeted customers between the ages of eighteen and thirty.
- The advertisement targeted people interested in fitness.
- The campaign was targeted at small businesses.
- The teacher created targeted exercises for students who needed extra practice.
- The organization provided targeted support to vulnerable communities.
- The marketing team targeted a new audience.
- The software includes targeted recommendations based on user activity.
- The researchers developed a targeted approach to the problem.
- The message was carefully targeted toward potential customers.
- The company launched a targeted social media campaign.
- The new treatment is designed to target specific cells.
- The newspaper published a targeted advertisement.
- The training program targeted employees who needed additional assistance.
- The website uses targeted content to reach specific audiences.
- The campaign successfully targeted first time buyers.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Writing Targetted
Incorrect:
The company targetted young customers.
Correct:
The company targeted young customers.
Mistake 2: Assuming Every Verb Doubles Its Final Letter
Not every verb follows the same spelling pattern.
Words such as stop become stopped, but that does not mean target becomes targetted.
Mistake 3: Confusing Targeted With Target
The base verb is target.
The past tense is targeted.
For example:
Present: The company targets new customers.
Past: The company targeted new customers.
Past participle: The company has targeted new customers.
Memory Trick
Remember this simple rule:
Target has one t before ed.
Think:
TARGET + ED = TARGETED
You do not need another t.
A useful visual memory trick is:
One target, one t before ed.
American vs British English
There is no major American versus British spelling difference between targeted and targetted in standard usage.
Both American English and British English generally use:
targeted
For example:
The advertisement was targeted at young adults.
The spelling targetted is not normally treated as a standard British alternative to targeted.
Similar Words
Aimed
Aimed means directed toward a particular person, purpose, or result.
Example:
The campaign was aimed at young professionals.
Directed
Directed means guided or aimed toward a particular destination, person, or purpose.
Example:
The message was directed toward new customers.
Focused
Focused means concentrated on a particular subject, goal, or group.
Example:
The program focused on improving workplace communication.
Target
Target is the base verb and noun.
Example:
The company plans to target international customers.
Final Verdict
Targeted is the correct standard spelling.
Targetted is generally a spelling mistake and should be avoided in formal, academic, professional, and online writing.
Remember that although some English verbs double their final consonant before adding ed, target does not normally do so. The correct form is simply targeted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is targeted or targetted correct?
Targeted is correct. Targetted is generally considered a misspelling in standard English.
Is targetted a word?
You may encounter targetted in informal writing, but it is not the standard spelling. Use targeted instead.
Why is targeted not spelled targetted?
The verb target does not normally double its final t when forming its past tense or past participle. Therefore, the correct form is targeted.
What is the past tense of target?
The past tense of target is targeted.
Example:
The company targeted a younger audience.
Is targeted used in American English?
Yes. Targeted is the standard spelling in American English.
Is targeted used in British English?
Yes. Targeted is also the standard spelling in British English.
How do you remember the spelling of targeted?
Remember:
target + ed = targeted
The word keeps one t before ed.
Conclusion
The correct spelling is targeted, not targetted. Although English contains many verbs that double their final consonant before adding ed, the verb target normally keeps its original spelling and simply takes the ending ed. This gives us targeted.
If you are discussing targeted advertising, targeted communication, targeted support, or a targeted audience, use targeted in standard English. Keeping this spelling in mind will help you avoid a common error in professional, academic, and everyday writing.
Remember This
Targeted is correct. Targetted is generally incorrect.
Think:
Target + ed = Targeted
Nancy Lisa is a passionate writer and contributor at DrameyHut, focused on uncovering the deeper meanings behind dreams. She creates engaging and insightful content that helps readers interpret their dreams and understand their subconscious thoughts. Her work inspires self-reflection, clarity, and a stronger connection to inner emotions.
