Spelling Rules for Adding "ING" to Verbs

Spelling Rules for Adding ING to Verbs

1) The general rule when changing a verb into its -ING form is just to add -ING to the end of the verb.

Feel	feeling
Go	going
Work	working
Sleep	sleeping

• She isn't feeling very well.
• We are going to the supermarket to buy something.
• He is working on a new project.
• The children are sleeping so be quiet.

2). If the verb ends in an E we remove the E and add ING.

Live	living
Have	having
Make	making
Take	taking

• We are making a chocolate cake.
• He is taking his time to get ready.
• We are living in the same room.
• We are having breakfast now.

3). If the verb ends in a consonant + vowel + consonant, we double the final consonant and add ING.

Stop	stopping
Sit	sitting
Plan	planning
Get	getting
Swim	swimming

• The policeman is stopping the traffic.
• We are planning a party for our high school teachers.
• I think I am getting a cold.
• They are swimming and I am sitting on a chair.

4). If a two-syllable verb ends in a consonant + vowel + consonant and there is stress on the first syllable, we do not double the final consonant.

Happen	happening
Enter	entering
Offer	offering
Suffer	suffering

• What is happening?
• They are offering a discount.
• We are entering an area which is so dangerous.
• Many people are suffering from coronavirus in the world.

5). But, we do not double the final consonant when the verb ends in W, X, or Y. We also do not double the final consonant when the final syllable is not stressed.

Fix	fixing
Enjoy	enjoying
Snow	snowing

• He is fixing his bike.
• We are enjoying this great weather.
• It's snowing outside.

6). If the verb ends in IE we change it to Y and add ING.

Lie	lying
Die	dying
Tie	tying

• I know you are lying to me!
• You should water your plants twice a day because they are dying.
• The little boy is tying his shoelaces.

7). If the verb ends in consonant + vowel + L, we normally double the final L and add ING.

Note: According to American English, we do not double the L when the accent is on the first syllable.

	ING form (UK)	ING form (US
Travel	travelling	traveling
Marvel	marvelling	Marveling

• I am traveling.
• He is marveling at her beauty.

8). When a verb ends in a stressed vowel + R, we double the final R and add ING.

Refer	referring
Defer	deferring

• Are you referring me to Dr. Asim?
• I am deferring my class.

9). When a verb ends in an unstressed vowel + R, we do not double the final R and add ING.

Offer	offering
Suffer	suffering
Whisper	whispering

• I am offering you a special deal.
• He is now suffering from a fever.
• What is he whispering in her ear?

 

 Related Link:

• Forms of Verbs