[NEW] Verb Forms and Verb Tenses (#5): The -ing Form | ing form – NATAVIGUIDES

English verbs have five basic forms: the base form, the – S form,

the – ing form, the past form, and the past participle form. The

– ing ending for English verbs is used in several different situations:

1.

The -ing ending is used to show the progressive

aspect (progressive / continuous verb tenses).

The progressive aspect shows that an action is / was /

has been / had been / will be (etc.) in progress at a

particular time or during a particular period of time.

It often suggests that the action is / was / has been /

had been / will be (etc.) long or uninterrupted.

All of the English tenses can use the progressive aspect–

and in both active and passive sentences. Progressive

aspect always has at least two parts: the verb be (which

is often contracted) and an – ing verb:

He‘s studying.

They were going home when I saw them.

You’ve been working too hard!

We’d been talking about you before you called.

At 1:00 AM, I’ll be sleeping.

John might be working. I’m not sure

The operation is being performed right now.

The letters were being typed when I left.

2.

The -ing form is also used for gerunds (verbs which

are used as nouns).

Gerunds can be used as nouns for subjects and

subject complements:

Learning a language isn’t easy.

Talking to Bill was a lot of fun.

Communicating by e-mail has become

very common.

His hobby is collecting stamps.

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Gerunds can also be used as nouns for objects

of verbs and prepositions:

They dislike studying.

For exercise, he recommends swimming.

He doesn’t care about being on time.

They’re tired of listening to you.

Did he succeed in solving the problem?

3.

The -ing form is also seen in participles (verb forms

which are used as adjectives).

Participles are commonly used as adjectives which

modify nouns:

The movie was boring.

That was an exciting game.

His explanation was confusing.

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Participles are also used in phrases which modify

parts of sentences or entire sentences:

Whistling happily, he began to work.

He entered the room, whistling happily,

and began to work.

Holding his hands in the air, he surrendered.

He surrendered reluctantly, knowing that

he had no other choice.

4.

The -ing form is also used after go in many expressions

showing leisure-time activities–including

go bowling, go dancing, go diving,

go drinking, go fishing, go hiking,

go horseback riding, go jogging, go skating,

go swimming, go shopping, go skiing

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Special Notes:

1.

After to, base forms are generally used, but when

to is part of a phrasal verb and when to is used as

a preposition, it is followed by an – ing form:

I want to see you. /

I look forward to seeing you.

Are you able to do it by yourself? /

Are you up to doing it by yourself?

He used to smoke. /

He’s used to smoking.

2.

If phrases with participles are at the beginning of

a sentence, they should modify / describe the first

noun or pronoun in the sentence:

Whistling happily, he began to work.

(“Whistling happily” modifies “he.”)

Holding his hands in the air, he surrendered.

(“Holding his hands in the air” modifies “he.”)

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If a phrase with a participle is at the beginning of

a sentence and doesn’t modify / describe the first

noun or pronoun, the meaning will not be clear.

In this situation, rewrite the sentence.

wrong–needs to be rewritten:

*Whistling happily, the work was

easy for him.

wrong–needs to be rewritten:

*Holding his hands in the air, the policeman knew

that the criminal wanted to surrender.

3.

Both present participles (- ing forms) and past

participles can be used as adjectives, but they have

different meanings:

The movie bored me. —>

The movie was boring. / I was bored.

That game excited me. —>

That was an exciting game /

I was excited by that game.

His explanation confused me. —>

His explanation was confusing. /

I was confused by his explanation.

4.

The combination go + an – ing form is not used for

all leisure-time activities:

wrong:

*I go watching TV on weekends.

*I go playing tennis on weekends.

*I go sleeping late on weekends.

*I go relaxing with my friends on weekends.

5.

Some verbs which combine with other words are

followed by an -ing form (gerund), not to and

a base form:

I regret saying that.

He admitted stealing the money.

I recommend seeing a doctor.

He considered taking a vacation.

They proposed taking a break.

Did she suggest cheating?

when do we use the -ing form (Gerund)?

The –ing form can be used like a noun, like an adjective or like a verb.

• Smoking is forbidden.
• I have a long working day.
• I don’t like dancing.

When it is used like a noun it may or may not have an article before it.

• Marketing is a very inexact science. 
• The marketing of the product will continue for a few months yet.

It can also be part of a ‘noun phrase’.

• Speaking to an audience is always stressful.
• Swimming after work is very relaxing.

In formal English, we would use a possessive with the –ing form. In informal English, many people do not.

• I’m angry about his missing the meeting. 
• Do you mind my coming?

As an adjective, the –ing form can be used before a noun.

• I was met by a welcoming party at the airport. 
• Let’s go to the meeting room.

The –ing form is used after prepositions. 

• Before leaving, you need to speak to Sarah.
• After discussing it with her, I’ve changed my mind.
• Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, do some work for charity.

Notice that when ‘to’ is used as a preposition, it is followed by the –ing form.

• I don’t object to working this Sunday.
• I’m looking forward to seeing him again. 
• I’m used to working long hours.

There are many verb + -ing combinations. Here are some common ones:

• I admit telling her.
• I appreciate having the raise.
• I avoid speaking to him. 
• I consider blowing your nose in public to be wrong.
• I delayed coming until the last possible moment.
• He denied telling her.
• I detest going to parties.
• I enjoy dancing.
• I feel like having a party.
• I’ve finished writing the report.
• I’ve given up going to the gym.
• I can’t help thinking about it.
• I can’t imagine ever leaving this company.
• I don’t mind doing that.
• He put off talking to her as long as he could.
• I can’t stand drinking beer. 

Some verbs can be followed by either the infinitive or –ing form but with different meanings. Here are some common ones:

• I stopped smoking last month. (I no longer smoke.) 
• I stopped to smoke a cigarette. (I stopped what I was doing and had a cigarette.)
• I remember telling him. (A memory of the past.)
• I must remember to tell him. (Something to remember for the future.)
• I’m interested in finding out more details. (Interested about the future.)
• I was interested to read his report. (Interested in the past.) 

Some verbs can be followed by either the infinitive or –ing form but with the same meaning. Here are some common ones: 

• I love to go shopping.
• I love going shopping.
• I’m afraid to fly.
• I’m afraid of flying.
• I started to learn English 5 years ago.
• I started learning English 5 years ago.

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#1.

I admit —— her was a bad idea.

Seeing

Seeing

Dicussing

Dicussing

Talking

Talking

#2.

He enjoys —— in charge when I’m away.

Having

Having

Being

Being

Taking

Taking

#3.

He denied —— the goods but he was caught on camera.

Running

Running

Mending

Mending

Stealing

Stealing

#4.

I feel like —— to the cinema. Do you want to come?

Taking

Taking

Watching

Watching

Going

Going

#5.

I don’t object to —— late

Seeing

Seeing

Finishing

Finishing

Looking

Looking

#6.

I can’t help —— if I did the right thing.

Wandering

Wandering

Wendering

Wendering

Wondering

Wondering

#7.

I’ve put off —— this as long as I could.

Doing

Doing

Pulling

Pulling

Putting

Putting

#8.

I appreciate your —— the time to see me.

Going

Going

Coming

Coming

Taking

Taking

#9.

I’m looking forward to —— you.

Meteing

Meteing

Meating

Meating

Meeting

Meeting

#10.

I considered —— you know but I decided not to.

Putting

Putting

Letting

Letting

Making

Making

finish

How do you identify a gerund?

It’s verb form ending in -ing that acts like a noun.

What is the difference between a gerund and a gerund phrase?

A gerund is a verb ending in -ing. A gerund phrase contains the gerund plus other words. Both function as nouns.

Is running a gerund?

It can be. Running is good fun – that’s it used as a gerund.

Is being a gerund?

It can be. Being happy is my objective – it is a gerund phrase here.

What are the 5 functions of gerund.

It is a noun so can be used as  subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, objects of prepositions, and predicate nouns.

How do you know if it is a gerund or a participle?

A gerund is a noun, a participle is an adjective.

Swimming is fun. – gerund
My swimming costume is pink. – participle