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I enjoy to travel/traveling.
This book is bored/boring.
Which form is correct?
English grammar can get difficult, but learning when to use "-ing" verbs will help you in everyday interactions and during exams.
What is an "-ing" verb?
The term "ing verb" usually refers to the form of the verb ending in "-ing", which is either a present participle or a gerund.
Both forms are the same but have different functions in a sentence depending on the context.
How do we make it?
Base verb + "-ing" ending
look = looking
sit = sitting
play = playing
Did you know?
To learn when to double the final consonant, follow these rules.
Present Participles
Present participles have two main functions:
1. To form the continuous verb tenses ✔
Examples:
Present continuous: She is walking to school.
Past continuous: They were reading a book.
Future continuous: I will be singing in the contest.
2. To be used as an adjective (to describe a noun or pronoun) ✔
Examples:
The barking dog woke me up.
He is a loving and caring father.
The movie is boring, and I don't want to watch it.
Quiz
Can you find the present participles in the following sentences?
"Traveling" and "Writing" are gerunds that function as nouns.
Gerunds
Gerunds function as nouns and can be used as subjects or objects of sentences.
Subject — performs the action of the verb
Examples:
Swimming is my favorite hobby.
Smoking is bad for your health.
Writing helps me to clear my ideas.
Object — receives the action of the verb
Examples:
I like cooking in the evening.
Fred enjoys reading fantasy books.
She considered not going to the party.
Quiz
Can you find the gerunds in the following sentences?
"Working" and "sparkling" are present participles.
Take Action
This Byte has been authored by
Iulia Musat
L&D Admin
BA