-ing

Definition

The suffix '-ing' is used in English to form present participles and gerunds from verbs, allowing them to function as adjectives or nouns. This suffix plays a significant role in word formation by transforming base verbs into different grammatical forms, which can modify nouns or act as subjects and objects in sentences.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. '-ing' can be added to most verbs to create the present participle, which describes actions that are currently ongoing.
2. When used as a gerund, '-ing' allows verbs to act as nouns, making it essential for sentence construction and meaning.
3. The present participle is often used with auxiliary verbs to form progressive tenses, indicating actions in progress.
4. '-ing' forms can also be used adjectivally, modifying nouns to describe the state or action related to that noun.
5. Some verbs have irregular '-ing' forms due to spelling changes, such as 'lie' becoming 'lying', where the consonant is doubled.

Review Questions

• How does the suffix '-ing' contribute to the grammatical structure of a sentence?
  • '-ing' is crucial for forming present participles and gerunds, which can function either as adjectives or nouns within sentences. For instance, in the phrase 'The running water is cold,' 'running' modifies 'water' as an adjective. Similarly, in 'Swimming is fun,' 'swimming' acts as a noun. Understanding the role of '-ing' helps clarify how actions can be described and utilized in various grammatical contexts.
• Compare and contrast the use of '-ing' in gerunds versus present participles.
  • While both gerunds and present participles use the '-ing' suffix, they serve different grammatical functions. Gerunds act as nouns; for example, 'Jogging is good exercise,' where 'jogging' is the subject of the sentence. Present participles, on the other hand, describe ongoing actions or states when used with auxiliary verbs; for example, 'She is jogging.' The distinction lies in whether '-ing' modifies another word or stands alone as a noun.
• Evaluate how understanding the use of the suffix '-ing' enhances one's comprehension of English verb forms and their functions.
  • Understanding '-ing' significantly enhances comprehension of English verb forms because it reveals how actions are expressed across different grammatical roles. Recognizing how '-ing' transforms verbs into participles and gerunds allows learners to construct more complex sentences and understand nuances in meaning. This knowledge facilitates effective communication by enabling speakers to convey ongoing actions or use actions as subjects or objects, which enriches both written and spoken language.

Related terms

Gerund: A verbal noun that ends in '-ing' and functions as a noun in a sentence, often indicating an ongoing action.

Present Participle: A form of a verb ending in '-ing' that is used to create continuous tenses or to function as an adjective.

Infinitive: The base form of a verb, usually preceded by 'to', that can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence.