Meaning & use
targetted or targeted
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
The correct spelling is "targeted"; "targetted" is a misspelling of the past tense and past participle of "target".
Grammar: Use it when you are unsure which spelling to write; the answer is always "targeted".
Patterns
- targeted (correct)
- targetted (incorrect)
The correct spelling of the past tense is "targeted", not "targetted".
If you write "targetted" in an exam, a teacher will mark it as a spelling mistake.
Both American and British writers spell it "targeted".
verbtransitive
Aimed something at a particular person, group, or place, or chose them as the people to receive something.
Grammar: This is the regular past form of "target"; it takes an object: they targeted young voters.
Patterns
- target something at someone
- target someone for something
- be targeted by someone
The company targeted young families with its new adverts.
The campaign targeted voters in small towns.
Several shops were targeted by thieves last month.
verbtransitive
Directed an action, product, or treatment toward a specific aim or group.
Grammar: Often used in the passive with "at": the program is targeted at beginners.
Patterns
- be targeted at someone
- target something at a group
The new drug is targeted at patients with severe pain.
Their lessons are targeted at students who need extra help.
Word forms
| base form | target |
|---|---|
| third person singular | targets |
| past tense | targeted |
| past participle | targeted |
| -ing form | targeting |
Common combinations
- targeted advertising
- Targeted advertising sends different ads to different users.
- targeted attack
- The hospital suffered a targeted attack on its computer system.
- be targeted at
- The course is targeted at people changing careers.
- targeted support
- Children with reading difficulties receive targeted support.
- heavily targeted
- The area was heavily targeted by the new tax.
Synonyms and how they differ
- aimed
- Use "aimed" for pointing a weapon, camera, or remark; "targeted" is more common for choosing a group or market.
- directed
- "Directed" stresses guiding something toward a goal, while "targeted" stresses choosing the exact person or group.
- focused
- "Focused" means concentrated on one thing; "targeted" often means aimed at a chosen audience.
Opposites
Word family
- target noun
- An object, person, or goal that someone aims at.
- targeting noun
- The act of choosing and aiming at a particular group or aim.
- targetable adjective
- Able to be chosen or aimed at as a target.
Commonly confused: targetted or targeted or targetted? targetted or targeted or targed?
targetted or targeted vs targetted
This is simply a misspelling of "targeted"; do not use it in writing.
targetted or targeted vs targed
A rare typing error for "targeted"; it is not an English word.
Practice
Which sentence uses the correct spelling?
Choose one answer.
"Targeted" has one t before the -ed ending, so option 2 is correct. Option 1 doubles the t wrongly, option 3 changes the vowel, and option 4 uses the base form without a past ending.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “targetted or targeted”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.