The following is a guide to the correct spelling of –ing forms of verbs and gerunds. The general rule when changing a verb into...
The following is a guide to the correct spelling of
–ing forms of verbs and gerunds.
The general rule when changing a verb into its -ING
form is just to add -ING to the end of the verb.
Infinitive
|
ING form
|
to feel
|
feeling
|
to go
|
going
|
to work
|
working
|
to sleep
|
sleeping
|
- She wasn't feeling very well.
- He is working on a new project.
- The children are sleeping so be quiet.
Spelling exceptions
The following exceptions exist when spelling words
ending in ING:
- If the verb ends in an E we remove the E and add
ING.
Infinitive
|
ING form
|
to live
|
living
|
to have
|
having
|
to make
|
making
|
to take
|
taking
|
- People are living longer now than they were
100 years ago.
- We are making a chocolate cake.
- He was taking his time to get ready.
- If the verb ends in a consonant + vowel +
consonant, we double the final consonant and add ING.
Infinitive
|
ING form
|
to stop
|
stopping
|
to sit
|
sitting
|
to plan
|
planning
|
to get
|
getting
|
to swim
|
swimming
|
- The policeman is stopping the traffic.
- We are planning a surprise party for our
teacher.
- I think I am getting a cold.
- If a two-syllable verb ends in a consonant + vowel
+ consonant, we do not double the final consonant when the
stress is on the first syllable.
Infinitive
|
ING form
|
to happen
|
happening
|
to enter
|
entering
|
to offer
|
offering
|
to suffer
|
suffering
|
- What is
happening?
- They are offering a discount.
- Many people are suffering from a lack of
food and water.
- But, we do not double the final consonant when the
verb ends in W, X or Y or when the final syllable is not emphasized.
Infinitive
|
ING form
|
to fix
|
fixing
|
to enjoy
|
enjoying
|
to snow
|
snowing
|
- He
fixing his bike.
- We are enjoying this great weather.
- It's
snowing outside.
- If the verb ends in IE we change it to YING.
Infinitive
|
ING form
|
to lie
|
lying
|
to die
|
dying
|
to tie
|
tying
|
- I know you are lying to me!
- You should water your plant more because I
think it is dying.
- The little boy is tying his shoelaces.
- If the verb ends in consonant + vowel + L, we
normally double the final L and add ING.
Note: In the United States (US) they do not double the
L when the accent is on the first syllable.
Infinitive
|
ING form
(UK) |
ING form
(US) |
to travel
|
travelling
|
traveling
|
to marvel
|
marvelling
|
marveling
|
- I have been travelling around South America
for 6 months.
- He was marvelling at her beauty.
- If the verb ends in a stressed vowel + R, we
double the final R and add ING.
Infinitive
|
ING form
|
refer
|
referring
|
defer
|
deferring
|
- Are you referring to this one or that one?
- They are thinking of deferring payment of
their mortgage.
- If the verb ends in an unstressed
vowel + R, we do not double the final R and add ING.
Infinitive
|
ING form
|
to offer
|
offering
|
to suffer
|
suffering
|
to whisper
|
whispering
|
- I am offering you a special deal.
- He is now suffering the consequences of his
actions.
- I wonder what he is whispering in her ear.
Try this exercise and learn.
