Incorrect spelling, explanation: in English, many verbs double the final consonant before adding -ing, especially if they end in a single vowel + consonant combination (e.g., run → running or stop → stopping). Some learners apply this rule incorrectly to all verbs ending in a consonant, assuming hide → hidding follows the same pattern. However, this doesn’t apply to words like hide, because the silent -e changes the rule. If the verb ends in a silent -e, drop it and don’t double the consonant. Repeatedly seeing correct forms like hiding, sliding, and riding can build the habit.

Correct spelling, explanation: the etymology of hiding reveals its roots in the Old English language, and it helps explain why hidding is not a valid form. Hiding comes from the base verb hide, which has followed standard English verb evolution rules. Silent -e was introduced to distinguish the long -i vowel sound in hide from short vowels in similar words (e.g., bid/bidding). Hidding is a hypothetical form that breaks English spelling conventions and has no historical or linguistic basis.

Definition of hiding:
1. Verb (present participle), to put something or someone in a place where that thing or person cannot be seen or found
The squirrel is hiding its acorns in the hollow of the tree.
She was hiding behind the curtains, trying not to be seen.
2. Noun (gerund), act of concealing
Their hiding in the forest lasted for weeks until it was safe to return.
The dog’s quick hiding under the bed made it impossible to catch him for a bath.

Collocations with hiding:
Some of the most commonly used collocations include:
1. Hiding something: to conceal an object, fact, or feeling.
She was clearly hiding something, judging by her nervous expression.
2. Give someone a hiding (informal, British English): to punish someone physically or figuratively, often as a form of discipline.
He threatened to give the boy a hiding for breaking the window.
3. Hiding away: to isolate oneself or stay out of sight intentionally.
She’s been hiding away in her room since the argument.
4. Hiding the truth: to deliberately keep the truth from being known.
The politician was accused of hiding the truth about the scandal.