When is ing used in english

But sometimes the second verb must be in -ing form, for example: I dislike eating. Here is a list of verbs that are usually followed by a verb in -ing form: admit, appreciate, avoid, carry on, consider, defer, delay, deny, detest, dislike, endure, enjoy, escape, excuse, face, feel like, finish, forgive, give up, can't help, imagine, involve, leave off, mention, mind, miss, postpone, practise, put off, report, resent, risk, can't stand, suggest, understand Look at these examples: She will consider having a holiday.

Do you feel like going out? I can't help falling in love with you. I can't stand not seeing you. Some verbs can be followed by the -ing form OR the to-infinitive form without a big change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start I like to play tennis.

It started to rain. Note that the expression "something wants doing" is used more in British English than in American English.

The verb in the following example sentences is italicized, and the gerund or infinitive is bolded:. In a regular verb, the past participle is formed by adding "-ed". However, there are many irregular verbs in English, and these past participle forms must be memorized. Here are four common uses of past participles:. The past participle is used with "have" auxiliaries helping verbs in active voice. The "have" auxiliary in the following example sentences is italicized, and the past participle is bolded:.

Also see this link on verb tenses for more examples. The past participle is used after "be" auxiliaries in passive voice. Be sure to check our webpage on the appropriate use of passive voice in scholarly writing. The "be" auxiliary in the following example sentences is italicized and the past participle is bolded:. The past participle is sometimes used in a phrase to supply additional information.

These participial phrases come from relative clauses with a passive meaning. The past participle in the following example sentences is bolded, and the full relative clause is italicized:. The past participle is sometimes used as an adjective. The past participle in the following example sentences is bolded:. Sometimes both the "-ing" and the past participle "-ed" forms can function as adjectives.

However, each form has a different meaning. The "-ing" and the past participle is bolded in the example sentences below.

Notice that the "-ing" adjective refers to a thing and the past participle "-ed" adjective refers to a person. Note that this video was created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use.

There may be some examples of writing that have not been updated to APA 7 guidelines. Didn't find what you need? Search our website or email us. Read our website accessibility and accommodation statement. Print Page Report a broken link. Past Participles -ing or Past Participle? Here are some examples: I am doing my homework. I have been writing all day. I was writing when the pizza arrived. The gerund in the following sample sentences is bolded, and the verb is italicized: Writing is an important skill.

Hiking is one of my favorite activities. Reading before bed helps me fall asleep. They will be coming. We would be staying. I would have been leaving. Examples We saw him swimming across the pond. I watched her painting Sarah's portrait. I couldn't hear her singing because of the noise. I would like to see you knitting sometime. Examples She sat looking at the sea. He walks reading his newspaper. I cook listening to the radio. Sally lay listening to the bugs in the grass.

Examples Did you read that amazing book? July 4, Something is in progress One way of using —ing is to show the progressive aspect of something — that means something is going on, has been going on, or will be happening. Verb or noun? Verb or adjective?