Spelling Rule -ING

What is the rule when adding ‘ing’ to a word?

Here is a guide to the correct spelling of -ing forms of verbs and gerunds.

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

In�nitive ING form

to feel feeling

to go going

to work working

to sleep sleeping

She wasn’t feeling very well.

He is working on a new project.
The children are sleeping so be quiet.

1st Rule
If the verb ends in an ‘e’ we remove ‘e’ and add -ing.

In�nitive ING form

to live living

to have having

to make making

to take taking

Some examples of above rule,

People are living longer now than they were 100 years ago.
We are making a chocolate cake.

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 He was taking his time to get ready.

2nd Rule
If the verb ends in a Consonant + Vowel + Consonant, we double the �nal consonant
and add ‘ing’.

In�nitive ING form

to stop stopping

to sit sitting

to plan planning

to get  getting

to swim swimming

The policeman is stopping the tra�c.

We are planning a surprise party for our teacher.
I think I am getting a cold.

3rd Rule
If a two-syllable verb ends in a Consonant + Vowel + Consonant, we do not double the
�nal consonant when the stress is on the �rst syllable.

In�nitive ING form

to happen happening

to enter entering

to offer offering

to suffer suffering

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 What is happening?
They are offering a discount.
Many people are suffering from lack of food and water.

4th Rule
But, we do not double the �nal consonant when the verb ends in W, X, or Y or when the
�nal syllable is not emphasized.

In�nitive ING form

to �x �xing

to enjoy enjoying

to snow snowing

He is �xing his bike.

We are enjoying this great weather.
It’s snowing outside.

If the verb ends in -ie we change it to -ying.

In�nitive ING form

to lie lying

to die dying

to tie tying

I know you are lying to me!

You should water your plant more because I think it is dying.
The little boy is tying his shoelaces.

5th Rule

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 If the verb ends in Consonant + Vowel + L, we normally double the �nal L and add -ing.

In�nitive British English US English

to travel travelling traveling

to marvel marvelling marveling

I have been traveling around South America for 6 months.

He was marveling at her beauty.

6th Rule
If the verb ends in a stressed Vowel+R, we double the �nal R and add -ing.

In�nitive ING form

refer referring

defer deferring

Are you referring to this one or that one?

They are thinking of deferring payment of their mortgage.

7th Rule
If the verb ends in an Unstressed Vowel + R, we do not double the �nal R and add -ing.

In�nitive ING form

to offer offering

to suffer suffering

to whisper whispering

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 I am offering you a special deal.
He is now suffering the consequences of his actions.
I wonder what he is whispering in her ear.

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