The –ing form of the verb can be the present participle or the gerund.
When the –ing form is used as a present participle, it helps make continuous tense forms. Study the examples given below:
- I am writing an email. (Here the present participle ‘writing’ helps form the present continuous tense verb ‘am writing’.)
- They are playing. (Here the present participle ‘playing’ helps form the present continuous verb ‘are playing’.)
- We have been waiting for them. (Here the present participle ‘waiting’ helps form the present perfect continuous tense form ‘have been waiting’.)
The present participle can also be used as an adjective. In this case, it goes before nouns.
- A rolling stone gathers no moss. (Here the present participle ‘rolling’ modifies the noun ‘stone’.)
- Barking dogs seldom bite. (Here the present participle ‘barking’ modifies the noun ‘dogs’.)
When the –ing form is used as a gerund, it serves the same purpose as a noun. That means, it can be used as the subject or object of the verb. It can also be used as the object of prepositions. Study the examples given below.
- Reading is my favorite pastime. (Here the –ing form ‘reading’ acts as the subject of the verb ‘is’.)
- She enjoys dancing. (Here the –ing form ‘dancing’ acts as the object of the verb ‘enjoys’.)
- There is no point in waiting for her. (Here the –ing form ‘waiting’ acts as the object of the preposition ‘in’.)