We always need to add -ing to verbs before using in any continuous tense. Below you will learn about the complete rules for changing verbs into ING form.
Rules For Changing Verbs Into ING Form
1. For many verbs, we make the ING form by simply adding -ING to end of the verb.
- eat – eating
- speak – speaking
- cook – cooking
- start – starting
- do – doing
- stay – staying
- fix – fixing
- try – trying
Sentences:
- She wasn’t feeling very well.
- He is working on a new project.
- The children are sleeping so be quiet.
2. Verbs ending with -e (with the exception of verbs ending in -ee and -ie) Drop the -e and add ING.
- hope – hoping
- ride – riding
- make – making
- write – writing
- live – making
- make – making
Sentences:
- 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.
3. Verbs ending with -ee. Just add -ING
- agree – agreeing
- flee – fleeing
- see – seeing
Sentences:
- I am agreeing with her analysis of the situation.
- while fleeing she burst into tears.
4. Verbs ending with -ie. Change the -ie to -y and add -ING
- die – dying
- tie – tying
- lie – lying
Sentences:
- 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.
5. Verbs ending with one vowel and one consonant (with the exception of w, x, and y) For one syllable verbs. Double the consonant and add -ING
- jog – jogging
- sit – sitting
- run – running
- stop – stopping
- fix – fixing
- enjoy – enjoying
- snow – snowing
Sentences:
- The policeman is stopping the traffic.
- We are planning a surprise party for our teacher.
- I think I am getting a cold.
6. For two syllable verbs If the 1st syllable is stressed, just add ING
- answer – answering
- offer – offering
- listen – listening
- visit – visiting
- offer – offering
- suffer – suffering
Sentences:
- The student is answering to the question.
- He is listening to the music.
- 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.
7. If the 2nd syllable is stressed, double the consonant and add ING
- admit – admitting
- prefer – preferring
- begin – beginning
Sentences:
- She is admitting to be strict with her children.
- They are preferring to have a football match tomorrow.
8. 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.
- travel – traveling (UK) – traveling (US)
- marvel – marvelling (UK) – marveling (US)
Sentences:
- I have been travelling around South America for 6 months.
- He was marvelling at her beauty.