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The -ing Form

The -ing form can be a bit confusing because it has several distinctive grammatical roles:

1. Continuous tense: this is the most common use. Here the -ing form is preceded by verb-to-be.

  • I am going to school.
  • He is eating an apple.
  • She was watching TV last night.
  • We have been waiting for you since yesterday.
2. Gerund: a word formed from a verb acting as a noun and ending in -ing:
  • Reading helps you learn English.
  • I enjoy reading.
  • His favorite hobby is reading.
3. Adjective:
  • He is boring. (He is a boring person)
  • Sally was confused by the confusing street signs in the city.
4. Present participle:
  • Walking through the forest, we could feel fresh air.
  • Standing near the door, we saw him passing by.
  • I see a red bird looking at me.
  • A picture of the cow jumping over the moon!
  • The spider was very busy spinning her web.
And now, all together:
  • He is running.
  • The running water is clean.
  • Running is a healthy exercise.
  • Running in the morning is a healthy exercise.
  • Running in the morning, I saw your brother.
  • I saw him running.
Sometimes you have to decide whether an -ing form is a gerund or a present participle:
  • Lying expert testifies at trial.
This sentence can have two meanings depending on your interpretation:
  • An expert of lying testifies at trial.
  • An expert who lies testifies at trial.

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See also:
Classic Children Books
Classic School Age Children Books
Classic Books for Teenagers
Classic Children Books by Age
Best-selling Books of All Time
The Benefits of Reading for Kids
Why Learn English Language?
Shortest Books
Shortest Books (unique words)
Longest Books
Best way to learn English
How NOT to Learn English!
CVC Words
What you need to know to learn a new language?
Why I forget what I learned?
Vocabulary Size
More...


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See also:
Classic Children Books
Classic School Age Children Books
Classic Books for Teenagers
Classic Children Books by Age
Best-selling Books of All Time
The Benefits of Reading for Kids
Why Learn English Language?
Shortest Books
Shortest Books (unique words)
Longest Books
Best way to learn English
How NOT to Learn English!
CVC Words
What you need to know to learn a new language?
Why I forget what I learned?
Vocabulary Size
More...

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