THE -ING FORM
The "-ing" ending is added to an infinitive verb and it has different uses:
With the Continuous Form (be + -ing)
After the auxiliary "be" we always use the -ing form (except for passive form) :
I'm reading a book. She was listening to music.
We've been travelling, She may be sleeping.
As an adjective
This book is fascinating. What an amazing story!
This teacher is boring! This is an interesting fact.
After a preposition
I'm good at skiing. After finishing work, I'll go home.
Are you interested in working for us? How about meeting tonight at 9?
Thanks for inviting me! The advantage of having a car is that...
It goes without saying! You can improve your English by studying more.
Exception: After the preposition "to" you often use the infinitive form, (after a verb followed by "to" or to express the reason why you do something (="in order to"):
I want to go I need you to come. The President is expected to speak this afternoon
I study to pass the exam, He did it to impress her.
But the -ing form is used after "to" with some verbs and expressions:
I'm looking forward to seeing you. I'm used to having a bath on Sundays.
When a verb is subject
Playing Squash is my favourite hobby.
Travelling has enriched the young man.
Losing must be hard to accept for him,
-ing clauses...
to say how you do something or after "while and "when" :
Joe hurt his knee (while) playing football.
He fell missing a step (when) walking down the stairs.
to say why you do something or explain something:
Feeling tired, I went to bed early.
Being unemployed, he doesn't have much money.
Not having a car, she finds it difficult to get around.
Having already seen the film twice, I didn't want to go to the cinema.
to say two things happen at the same time:
Kate is in the kitchen making coffee.
They have dinner watching T.V.
Don't stand here doing nothing!
to say an action happened (just) before another action:
Having found a hotel, we went out for dinner.
Having finished her work, she went home.
Taking a key out of his pocket, he opened the door.
like a relative clause:
The man holding the gun is a policeman. ( = who holds the gun)
The buiding standing there is famous, (= which is standing)
-ING or TO + INFINITIVE or BARE INFINITIVE
When a verb is followed by another verb there are 3 possibilities:
I want to play basketball (to + infinitive)
I enjoy playing basketball (-ing)
Live and let live ! (bare infinitive)
-ING or TO + INFINITIVE or BARE INFINITIVE lesson
-ING or TO + INFINITIVE or BARE INFINITIVE list
Exercises
Exercise 1 Exercise 2 Exercise 3 Exercise 4 Exercise 5
