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Monday, December 17, 2012

-ing forms


We can use the -ing form of the verb:
• as a noun:
I love swimming.
Swimming is very good for your health.
You can get fit by swimming regularly.

-ing nouns are nearly always uncount nouns
  • as an adjective:
The main problem today is rising prices.
That programme was really boring.
He saw a woman lying on the floor.
Because the -ing noun or adjective is formed from a verb it can have any of the patterns which follow a verb, for example:
  • ... an object:
I like playing tennis.
I saw a dog chasing a cat.
  • ... or an adverbial:
You can earn a lot of money by working hard.
There were several people waiting for the bus.
  • ... or a clause:
I heard someone saying that.
The -ing noun can be used:
  • as the subject of a verb:
Learning English is not easy.
  • as the object of a verb:
We enjoy learning English.
Common verbs followed by an -ing object are:

admitlikehatestartavoid
suggestenjoydislikebeginfinish
  • as the object of a preposition
Some people are not interested in learning English.
The -ing adjective can come:
  • in front of a noun:
I read an interesting article in the newspaper today.
We saw a really exciting match on Sunday.
 The commonest –ing adjectives used in front of the noun are

amusinginterestingworryingshockingdisappointing
boringsurprising excitingterrifyingfrightening
tiringannoying   

  • after a noun:
Who is that man standing over there?
The boy talking to Angela is her younger brother.
  • and especially after verbs like seewatchhearsmell etc.
heard someone playing the piano.
I can smell something burning.
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