The reason why there is a double “n” in the word “beginning” has to do with the placement of stress on different syllables. In English, the placement of stress can affect the pronunciation and spelling of certain words.
In the case of “beginning,” the stress falls on the second syllable, which is the “gin” part. When a stressed syllable ends in a consonant, and the following syllable starts with a vowel sound, we often double the consonant. This is a common spelling rule in English.
By doubling the “n” in “beginning,” we indicate that the stress is on the second syllable and that the following syllable starts with a vowel sound. The double “n” helps to clarify the correct pronunciation of the word. Without the double “n,” the word would be pronounced more like “begin-ing,” with the stress on the first syllable.
It’s worth noting that this spelling rule applies to other words as well. For example, we see the same pattern in words like “planned” and “penned.” In both cases, the stress falls on the final syllable, and the following syllable starts with a vowel sound, so we double the consonant.
The double “n” in “beginning” is a result of the stress placement and the need for clarity in pronunciation. It is just one example of how English spelling can be influenced by the placement of stress in words.