Many writers stop and wonder about “transfered or transferred” when they type a sentence about money, files or a job move. The answer matters because one version is a common spelling mistake. This article explains which one to use and why.
You will also find example sentences and a simple rule you can reuse. It also covers related forms such as transferring and transferable.
Quick Answer
“Transferred” is the correct spelling. “Transfered” is a misspelling. The verb transfer ends in a stressed syllable, so the final r doubles before -ed. The same rule gives “transferring” for the -ing form.
Transfered or Transferred at a Glance
| Word form | Correct spelling | Example | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Past tense | transferred | She transferred the files. | Final r doubles |
| Past participle | transferred | He was transferred last week. | Final r doubles |
| -ing form | transferring | They are transferring funds. | Final r doubles |
| Adjective | transferable | The skill is transferable. | Dictionary exception |
| Common error | transfered | Not standard | Missing second r |
Transfered or Transferred: Why the Double R Matters
The verb transfer is said as trans-FER, with the stress on the second syllable. When a verb ends in a stressed syllable with one vowel and one consonant, the consonant usually doubles before -ed or -ing. That is why you write transferred and transferring.
Garner’s Usage Tip of the Day makes the same point. It says transfer is traditionally accented on the second syllable, so the past tense is spelled transferred. It marks “transfered” as the wrong form.
Merriam-Webster lists transferred as the past tense of transfer. Its recent examples include people who moved to a new school or team.
Verbs That Follow the Same Rule
Other verbs with a stressed final syllable behave the same way. Refer becomes referred. Prefer becomes preferred. Defer becomes deferred.
Verbs with the stress on the first syllable do not double the r. Offer becomes offered, and answer becomes answered. If the word ends in a stressed syllable, double the r. If it does not, keep it single.
This is a handy check when you are unsure. Say the verb out loud and listen for where the stress falls.
Example Sentences
These sentences are examples written for this article.
- The bank transferred the money on Monday.
- Nora was transferred to a new team last month.
- We are transferring the files to a new laptop.
- Your credits may be transferred to another school.
In each case, the double r keeps the word correct. Passive sentences such as “was transferred” use the same spelling as the simple past.
Related Forms and Exceptions
Not every form of transfer follows the doubling rule. The adjective is transferable, with one r before the -able ending. Garner notes that standard dictionaries give this spelling, not “transferrable,” even though the stress is on the second syllable. He calls it an anomaly.
The noun forms also vary. Transfer is the standard noun. Garner lists transferral and transferal as needless variants, and he says transferral is the better of the two if you must use one. Transference is a separate word that appears mainly in psychology.
I found no sign that the spelling of transferred differs between American and British English. Both use the double r.
Why People Write Transfered
The mistake is easy to make. Many verbs add -ed with no change, so writers apply the same habit here. The word also looks long, and a single r can seem natural.
A spell checker usually flags it. If you are proofreading by eye, look for the double r in any -ed or -ing form of transfer.
FAQs
Is transfered ever correct?
No. Transfered is a misspelling. The standard past tense and past participle of transfer is transferred.
Is it transfering or transferring?
The correct spelling is transferring. The final r doubles before -ing for the same reason it doubles before -ed.
Why does transferable have one r?
Standard dictionaries spell it transferable. It is an exception to the doubling rule, so do not write transferrable.
Does the double r rule apply to offer?
No. Offer is stressed on the first syllable, so the past tense is offered with a single r.
Conclusion
Use transferred for the past tense and past participle, and transferring for the -ing form. Remember that transfer is stressed on its last syllable, which is why the r doubles. Keep transferable as the one common exception.