Adjective or present participle

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 forms used in the following sentences are adjectives or present participles.

1. A rolling stone gathers no moss.

2. That was an interesting book.

3. You are smoking too much.

4. He put the smoking cigarette end in the ashtray.

5. The delay was maddening.

6. She is waiting for us.

7. The scenery was enchanting.

8. Barking dogs seldom bite.

9. The news was distressing.

10. Interesting though it was, I didn’t like the film.

Answers

1. Rolling is an adjective

2. Interesting is an adjective

3. Smoking is a present participle.

4. Smoking is an adjective.

5. Maddening is an adjective.

6. Waiting is a present participle.

7. Enchanting is an adjective.

8. Barking is an adjective.

9. Distressing is an adjective.

10. 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.