Adding -ing to verbs: spelling rules

The idea

Usually add -ing: read becomes reading. Drop a final silent e: make becomes making. For a one-syllable verb ending in one vowel and one consonant, double the consonant: run becomes running. Do not double w, x or y. Change final ie to y: lie becomes lying. British travelling and American traveling are both correct.

Examples

• Mia is reading by the window.
• We are making soup for lunch.
• The dog is running across the grass.
• I am sitting near the door.
• They are playing in the garden.
• A bird is lying on the warm ground.
• Our neighbour is travelling / traveling by train.

Watch out

Do not keep the silent e in making, or double the final letter in playing.

Try it yourself

1. Write the -ing form. The baby is ___ now. (sleep)

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   sleeping

   sleeping keeps the whole base because it ends in two consonants.

2. Write the -ing form. I am ___ a note. (write)

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   writing

   writing drops the silent final e of write.

3. Write the -ing form. The bus is ___ at the corner. (stop)

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   stopping

   stopping doubles p after a short vowel.

4. Write the -ing form. Sam is ___ to school. (cycle)

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   cycling

   cycling drops the silent final e of cycle.

Use it today

Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets.