An –ing form can be used in several different ways. Sometimes it is used like a present participle. Sometimes it is used like an adjective. It can also be used like a noun or an adverb.
State whether the–ing formsused in the following sentences are adjectives or present participles.
1A rolling stone gathers no moss.
Wrong!
2That was an interesting book.
Wrong!
3You are smoking too much.
Wrong!
4He put the smoking cigarette end in the ashtray.
Wrong!
5The delay was maddening.
Wrong!
6She is waiting for us.
Wrong!
7The scenery was enchanting.
Wrong!
8Barking dogs seldom bite.
Wrong!
9The news was distressing.
Wrong!
10Interesting though it was, I didn’t like the film.
Wrong!
Done.
Score: 0/10
Answers
- A rolling stone gathers no moss. Rolling is an adjective
- That was an interesting book. Interesting is an adjective
- You are smoking too much. Smoking is a present participle
- He put the smoking cigarette end in the ashtray. Smoking is an adjective
- The delay was maddening. Maddening is an adjective
- She is waiting for us. Waiting is a present participle
- The scenery was enchanting. Enchanting is an adjective
- Barking dogs seldom bite. Barking is an adjective
- The news was distressing. Distressing is an adjective
- Interesting though it was, I didn’t like the film. Interesting is an adjective
Notes
- When an
- –ing form is used to make continuous tenses, it acts like a present participle.
When an
- –ing form is used to modify a noun, it acts like an adjective. –ing forms used like subject complements are also adjectives.
