THE –ING FORM, A GUIDE

By Belén Sáez

Hernáez

THE –ING FORM

1. SIMPLE - ING FORM refers to the present or the future

Ex. Swimming is and energetic form of exercise.

2. PERFECT –ING FORM shows that the action of the – ing form happened before the action of the verb.

Ex. He denied having lied to his parents.

We can use the simple – ing form instead of the perfect –ing form with no difference in meaning

Ex. He admitted to having stolen/stealing the car.

-ING FORM USES1) As a NOUN

Cycling is a popular form of exercise.

Dancing is my favourite hobby.

2) After certain verbs (admit, anticipate, appreciate, avoid, consider, continue, delay, deny, discuss, enjoy, escape excuse, fancy, finish, forgive, go (for activities), imagine, involve, keep (=continue), mention, mind, miss, postpone, practise, prevent, quit, recall, recollect, report. Resent, resist, risk, save, stand, suggest, tolerate, understand, etc. )

I try to avoid going shopping to big malls.

I suggested having dinner together but he couldn’t make it.

3) After dislike, enjoy, hate, like, love, prefer to express general preference.

BUT: Would like, would love, would prefer + to + -infinitive to express specific preference.

I love listening to music on my mp3.

I would like to paint a good portrait.

4) After expressions such as be busy, it’s no use, it’s (no) good, it’s (not) worth, what’s the use of, can’t help, there’s no point (in), can’t stand, have difficulty (in), have trouble, have a hard/difficult time etc.

5) After spend, waste, lose (time, money, etc)

I’m so busy taking notes for my report!

We spent a lot of money decorating the Xmas tree.

6) After prepositions

7) After the preposition ‘to’ with verbs and expressions such as look forward to, be used to, get round to, objetc to, in addition to, prefer to (doing sth to doing sth else), etc.

We were tired of studying so hard.

I prefer swimming to sunbathing, it’s more fun!

8) After the verbs: hear, listen to, notice, see, watch, and feel to describe imcomplete actions, that is to say that somebody saw, heard, etc. Only a part of the action. For the complete action use hear, listen to, notice ,see, watch and feel + bare infinitive.

I listened to James giving his speech when I got to the conference hall. I’m so sorry

I was late!

I listened to James give his speech from the beginning to

the end.