-ing forms are sometimes used as present participles. Sometimes they are used as adjectives.
When they are used as adjectives, they modify a noun. When they are used as present participles, they help form continuous tense forms.
Read the following sentences and state whether the –ing form is used as an adjective or a present participle.
1In the sentence "It might seem surprising, but I don’t enjoy cricket," what is the function of "surprising"?
Wrong!
The word "surprising" describes the situation, so the correct answer is "Adjective".
2In the sentence "It is a baffling situation," what is the function of "baffling"?
Wrong!
The word "baffling" describes the noun "situation," so the correct answer is "Adjective".
3In the sentence "The movie was very interesting," what is the function of "interesting"?
Wrong!
The word "interesting" describes the movie, so the correct answer is "Adjective".
4In the sentence "The news was exciting," what is the function of "exciting"?
Wrong!
The word "exciting" describes the news, so the correct answer is "Adjective".
5In the sentence "How long have you been waiting?" what is the function of "waiting"?
Wrong!
The word "waiting" is part of the verb phrase "have been waiting," so the correct answer is "Present participle".
6In the sentence "The dog is chasing the cat," what is the function of "chasing"?
Wrong!
The word "chasing" is part of the verb phrase "is chasing," so the correct answer is "Present participle".
7In the sentence "Barking dogs seldom bite," what is the function of "barking"?
Wrong!
The word "barking" describes the noun "dogs," so the correct answer is "Adjective".
8In the sentence "Her performance was enthralling," what is the function of "enthralling"?
Wrong!
The word "enthralling" describes the performance, so the correct answer is "Adjective".
Answers
- In the sentence “It might seem surprising, but I don’t enjoy cricket,” what is the function of “surprising”? — Adjective
- In the sentence “It is a baffling situation,” what is the function of “baffling”? — Adjective
- In the sentence “The movie was very interesting,” what is the function of “interesting”? — Adjective
- In the sentence “The news was exciting,” what is the function of “exciting”? — Adjective
- In the sentence “How long have you been waiting?” what is the function of “waiting”? — Present participle
- In the sentence “The dog is chasing the cat,” what is the function of “chasing”? — Present participle
- In the sentence “Barking dogs seldom bite,” what is the function of “barking”? — Adjective
- In the sentence “Her performance was enthralling,” what is the function of “enthralling”? — Adjective
