-ing
suffix
UK/ɪŋ/US/ɪŋ/
Used to form nouns from verbs, representing an action or process (gerunds), and to form present participles in continuous tenses. It can also be employed to create adjectives describing a quality or characteristic. The suffix has its roots in Old English '-ing' and '-ung.' Examples include ‘running’ (the act or process of running), ‘painting’ (the act of painting or a work produced by painting), and ‘interesting’ (describing something that arouses interest).
Example Sentences
The -ing ending on ‘dancing’ signals both the action itself and the present participle form when used in the progressive tense.
Reading is one of her favorite pastimes, exemplifying how -ing can turn a verb into a noun (gerund).
They are building a new library downtown, a continuous tense that illustrates the present participle function of -ing.
Watching the sunset every evening has become his daily ritual to unwind and relax.
A painting can refer to the act of creating art or the finished work of art itself, showing the dual noun usage of -ing.
The children found the puppeteer’s amusing storytelling style irresistible, proving how -ing can modify nouns to describe qualities or characteristics.
She was hoping for a promotion by the end of the quarter, revealing the anticipation implied in ongoing or incomplete actions.
Maintaining a positive outlook on life, even during challenging times, can nurture resilience and foster personal growth in the long run.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
A suffix used to form present participles and gerunds in English.The suffix '-ing' is added to verbs to form present participles (e.g., 'running') or gerunds (e.g., 'running' as a noun). As a participle, it is used in progressive verb forms, such as 'He is running.' As a gerund, it acts as a noun, as in 'Running is fun.' '-ing' can also form nouns describing activities or processes (e.g., 'building' as the act of constructing).
Alternatives
There is no direct alternative to '-ing,' but context can rephrase it: 'He is in the process of running' instead of 'He is running.'
Writing
In writing, '-ing' forms are versatile, appearing in narrative action ('He was singing') or as gerunds for descriptive purposes ('Swimming is relaxing'). Use them to convey ongoing actions or activities effectively.
Casual Conversation
In casual conversation, '-ing' forms are common and essential for describing current actions ('I’m eating') or activities ('Reading is my hobby').