GERUND

GERUND

The general rule when changing a verb into its -ING form is just to add -ING to the end of the verb.

Infinitive ING form

to feel feeling

to go going

to work working

to sleep sleeping

• She IS feeling very well.

• He is working on a new project.

• The children are sleeping so be quiet.

Spelling exceptions

The following exceptions exist when spelling words ending in ING:

1). If the verb ends in an E we remove the E and add ING.

Infinitive ING form

to live living

to have having

to make making

to take taking

• People are living longer now than they were 100 years ago.

• We are making a chocolate cake.

• He Is taking his time to get ready.

2). If the verb ends in a consonant + vowel + consonant, we double the final consonant and add ING.

Infinitive ING form

to stop stopping

to sit sitting

to plan planning

to get getting

to swim swimming

• The policeman is stopping the traffic.

• We are planning a surprise party for our teacher.

• I think I am getting a cold.

3). 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 a lack of food and water.

4). 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 Iis fixing his bike.

• We are enjoying this great weather.

• It's snowing outside.

5). 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.

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