How Do You Spell TACKING?

Pronunciation: [tˈakɪŋ] (IPA)

Tacking can be spelled with either a "c" or a "ck" depending on its usage in a sentence. If tacking is referring to the nautical term meaning to change the course of a sailboat by turning the bow through the wind, then it is spelled with a "ck" at the end. The IPA phonetic transcription for this usage of tacking is /ˈtækɪŋ/. However, if tacking is referring to the act of attaching or adding something to something else, then it is spelled with just a "c." The IPA phonetic transcription for this usage of tacking is /ˈtæking/.

TACKING Meaning and Definition

  1. Tacking refers to the act of changing the direction of a sailing vessel by making successive zigzag maneuvers with the wind. It is commonly used in sailing to navigate against the wind or to reach a destination that cannot be reached directly with a single course.

    In tacking, the sailing vessel alters its course by steering into the wind until the sails begin to luff (puffing or fluttering). Once this occurs, the ship's bow crosses through the wind, and the sails are then trimmed on the opposite side, allowing the vessel to regain speed and continue sailing on a new direction. This technique allows sailors to make progress against the wind using a series of alternating courses.

    Tacking is a vital skill for sailors, particularly when they need to navigate close to the wind or when they are sailing upwind. By employing a series of short, diagonal courses, sailors can effectively "zigzag" their way to their desired destination. It requires precise control of the sails and the rudder, as well as good seamanship and knowledge of wind patterns and sail adjustments.

    The term "tacking" can also be used metaphorically to describe a change in strategy or approach in any situation, not necessarily related to sailing. It conveys the idea of making incremental adjustments and changes in direction to reach a goal or address a problem effectively.

  2. The act of changing a ship's course.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for TACKING *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for TACKING

Etymology of TACKING

The word "tacking" has its origins in sailing and nautical terminology. It is derived from the verb "tack", which has been used since the mid-16th century to describe a sailing maneuver. "Tack" itself came from the Middle Dutch word "tacke", meaning a rope or a branch. This Middle Dutch term was later borrowed into Old French as "tache" with the same meaning. Eventually, the word was adapted into English to specifically refer to the act of changing the direction of a sailing vessel by turning the bow into and through the wind. Over time, "tacking" has also been metaphorically extended to other fields, such as politics or business, where it is used to describe a change in strategy or course.

Similar spelling words for TACKING

Plural form of TACKING is TACKINGS

Conjugate verb Tacking

CONDITIONAL

I would tack
we would tack
you would tack
he/she/it would tack
they would tack

FUTURE

I will tack
we will tack
you will tack
he/she/it will tack
they will tack

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have tacked
we will have tacked
you will have tacked
he/she/it will have tacked
they will have tacked

PAST

I tacked
we tacked
you tacked
he/she/it tacked
they tacked

PAST PERFECT

I had tacked
we had tacked
you had tacked
he/she/it had tacked
they had tacked

PRESENT

I tack
we tack
you tack
he/she/it tacks
they tack

PRESENT PERFECT

I have tacked
we have tacked
you have tacked
he/she/it has tacked
they have tacked
I am tacking
we are tacking
you are tacking
he/she/it is tacking
they are tacking
I was tacking
we were tacking
you were tacking
he/she/it was tacking
they were tacking
I will be tacking
we will be tacking
you will be tacking
he/she/it will be tacking
they will be tacking
I have been tacking
we have been tacking
you have been tacking
he/she/it has been tacking
they have been tacking
I had been tacking
we had been tacking
you had been tacking
he/she/it had been tacking
they had been tacking
I will have been tacking
we will have been tacking
you will have been tacking
he/she/it will have been tacking
they will have been tacking
I would have tacked
we would have tacked
you would have tacked
he/she/it would have tacked
they would have tacked
I would be tacking
we would be tacking
you would be tacking
he/she/it would be tacking
they would be tacking
I would have been tacking
we would have been tacking
you would have been tacking
he/she/it would have been tacking
they would have been tacking

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