How do we spell the Present Continuous Tense?

We make the present continuous tense by adding -ing to the base verb. Normally it's simple we just add -ing. But sometimes we have to change the word a little. Perhaps we double the last letter, or we drop a letter. Here are the rules to help you know how to spell the present continuous tense. Just add -ing to the base verb: work play Basic rule assist see be > > > assisting seeing being > > working playing

If the base verb ends in consonant + stressed vowel + consonant, double the last letter: s t o p stressed consonant consonant vowel (vowels = a, e, i, o, u) Exception 1 stop run begin > > > stopping running beginning

Note that this exception does not apply when the last syllable of the base verb is not stressed: open > opening

If the base verb ends in ie, change the ie to y: Exception 2 lie die > > lying dying

If the base verb ends in vowel + consonant + e, omit the e: Exception 3 come mistake > > coming mistaking

continuous verbs
To make continuous verbs add -ing to the base verb: do becomes doing ask becomes asking

silent 'e'
When the verb ends with a silent e, drop the e and add -ing: make becomes making take becomes taking

one-syllable verbs
For short, one-syllable verbs, that end with consonant + vowel + consonant (CVC), we must double the last consonant and then add -ing: swim becomes swimming run becomes running

w, x and y
For words that end w, x and y, do not double the last consonant; just add -ing: enjoy becomes enjoying study becomes studying

two-syllable words
When words have two or more syllables ending in CVC, you must double the last consonant if the last syllable is stressed. When the last syllable is not stressed, just add -ing. The last syllable is stressed: commit becomes committing The last syllable is not stressed: whisper becomes whispering

-ie verbs
For verbs that end in -ie, change the ie to y before adding -ing: die becomes dying

verbs ending in -c
2

Change 'c' to 'ck'. picnic - he is picnicking

4. Special Cases:

The following special cases are relevant when adding either ed or ing, as explained below. We present here the more common irregularities, as others are very rare in usage. Whenever unsure about the spelling of a specific verb form in question, you can rely on the WhiteSmoke dictionary for a professional spelling check. The letter l is doubled in British English even if the final syllable is not stressed. Rodney was traveling in the Swiss Alps, when he got news of his newborn son. [American English] Rodney was trave lling in the Swiss Alps, when he got news of his newborn son. [British English] Double the p in the verb equip, as the u represents a consonant sound /w/. My company is equi pping us with new computers. Double the z in the verb quiz. My teacher qui zzed us on the irregular verbs in English. Add a k after the final c in verbs such as to panic, to traffic, to frolic, and to picnic in order to retain the original /k/ sound of the letter c. After he heard about the traffic king of drugs, he completely panic ked. Keep the final e in certain verbs ending with ge, in order to retain the /j/ sound of the verb. For example, to singe, to binge, to impinge. Ron was bin geing all night long, sin geing his mustache by mistake after trying to roast some marshmallows on the stove.