Both ‘instal’ and ‘install’ are correct in the UK. ‘Install’ is usually used in the US. Choose one and don’t swap between the two in the same piece of writing.
However
The following all take double ‘l’:
- installed
- installing
- installer
- installation
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When I was at school “install” would have been a spelling mistake. The same as “untill”, “Fulfill” and “instill”. The Americans do spell some words more correctly than us Brits because they spell “organize”, “apologize”, “realize” and “maximize” correctly. We have opted for the “incorrect” dropping of the “Z” in all these words. I even saw a sign saying “Warning! Hasard” the other day.
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Thanks, Andy – yes, American versus UK spellings can be a bit of a minefield. The ‘Hasard’ thing is funny but also shows how illogical the development of spelling is. After all, if we have ‘apologise’ why not ‘hasard’? The English language is tricky sums 🙂
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Install
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Sorry, can’t agree with “instal” at all. Or at al.
Like Michael, I’ve never seen it and I’m really not buying it.
And as Ask Oxford goes on to say:-
“Spelling help
Spell install and the related word installation with a double l.”
they are clearly not happy with “instal” either.
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Yes, probably best just to remember it that way and not bother with the single ‘l’ spelling. Thanks, Ron.
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Never seen “instal” in AmE. That’s what you get when you “AskOxford.” :)*
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