The Gerund: Spelling Rules -ING

A gerund is a noun made from a verb. The general rule when changing a verb into its gerund form is just to add ING to the end of the verb.

Infinitive	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.

Spelling exceptions

The following exceptions exist when spelling words ending in ING:

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

Infinitive	ING form
to live	living
to have	having
to make	making
to take	taking

·       People are living longer now than they were 100 years ago.

·       We are making a chocolate cake.

·       He was taking his time to get ready.

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

Infinitive	ING form
to stop	stopping
to sit	sitting
to plan	planning
to get	getting
to swim	swimming

·       The policeman is stopping the traffic.

·       We are planning a surprise party for our teacher.

·       I think I am getting a cold.

3. But, we do not double the final consonant when the verb ends in W, X or Y or when the final syllable is not emphasized.

Infinitive	ING form
to fix	fixing
to enjoy	enjoying
to snow	snowing

·       He fixing his bike.

·       We are enjoying this great weather.

·       It's snowing outside.

4. If the verb ends in IE we change it to YING.

Infinitive	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.

5. If the verb ends in a stressed vowel + R, we double the final R and add ING.

Infinitive	ING form
refer	referring
defer	deferring

·       Are you referring to this one or that one?

·       They are thinking of deferring payment of their mortgage.

6. If the verb ends in an unstressed vowel + R, we do not double the final R and add ING.

Infinitive	ING form
to offer	offering
to suffer	suffering
to whisper	whispering

·       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.