How is barking dog spelled and why? - briefly
The phrase "barking dog" is spelled with two c's in the word "barking." This double consonant is used because the vowel sound before it is short, following the English language's phonetic rules for spelling.
How is barking dog spelled and why? - in detail
The phrase "barking dog" is spelled with two distinct words: "barking" and "dog." This spelling convention adheres to several linguistic principles that govern English orthography.
Firstly, "barking" is an adjective derived from the verb "to bark," which describes the action of a dog making a loud noise. In English, verbs are often transformed into adjectives by adding the suffix "-ing." This process is known as gerund formation, where the verb takes on a noun-like quality while retaining its verbal characteristics. For instance, "running" (from "to run") or "swimming" (from "to swim").
Secondly, the word "dog" remains unchanged because it is a noun that refers to a specific type of animal. Nouns in English typically do not undergo morphological changes when they are used as part of a compound phrase unless there is an inflectional requirement (e.g., pluralization with "-s").
The decision to keep "barking" and "dog" separate also aligns with the broader rules of English orthography, which favors clarity and readability over compactness. By separating the words, readers can more easily parse the sentence and understand its components. This is particularly important in written communication, where contextual cues such as intonation or body language are absent.
Moreover, the separate spelling of "barking dog" reflects the syntactic structure of the English language. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, with "barking" modifying "dog." This adjectival role is clearer when the words are not merged into one unit, ensuring that the relationship between the modifier and the head noun is maintained.
In conclusion, the spelling of "barking dog" as two separate words follows established rules of English grammar and orthography. This approach enhances readability, preserves the linguistic roles of each component, and adheres to the syntactic structure of the language.