What is the rule when adding ‘ing’ to a word?
Here is how you can correct ” -ing forms” spellings of gerunds and verbs.
We can change a verb into ‘ing’ form by adding ‘ing’ at the end of verb.
| Base form | ING form |
| Deal | dealing |
| Show | showing |
| Weep | weeping |
| Do | doing |
| Talk | talking |
| Hear | hearing |
| Post | posting |
Examples
- He is dealing with the hardships of life.
- He was doing the work efficiently.
- Who is talking with you?
- Tom is showing us his new car.
- The child is weeping
If there comes ‘e’ at the end of verb, then add ‘ing’ at the end of verb by removing ‘e’.
| Base form | ING form |
| Smile | smiling |
| Write | writing |
| Make | making |
| Ride | riding |
| Shine | shining |
Some examples of above rule,
- She is smiling while watching TV.
- The chef is making a sponge cake.
- The stars are shining at the sky.
- Tom is riding the horse.
- He is writing an essay.
If the composition of verb is Consonant+Vowel+Consonant, then the final consonant is doubled + ‘ing’ at the end.
| Infinitive | ING form |
| Ban | banning |
| Bet | betting |
| Grit | gritting |
| Get | getting |
- The government was banning the use of polythene bags.
- They were gritting the icy-way.
- He is getting admission in Beacon House School.
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 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 is 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.
| Infinitive | British English | US English |
| to travel | travelling | traveling |
| to marvel | marvelling | marveling |
- I have been traveling around South America for 6 months.
- He was marveling 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.
