GERUND

SPELLING THE –ING FORM

RULE #1
We form the –ing (present participle) by adding –ing to the base form.
Example: walk ---- walking

RULE # 2
We drop –e if the base form ends in a single letter –e.
Example: take --- taking
(this is not the case with double e: see --- seeing
Rule # 3
We doublé the consonant …
1. if the base form ends in a single vowel + single consonant.
Example: sit --- sitting. Exceptions are consonants w,x, y.
sew --- sewing, box --- boxing, play --- playing

2. in two-syllable verbs if the base form ends in a single

vowel + single consonant, and the stress is on the second syllable.
Example: forget --- forgetting prefer --- preferring

3. if the base form has two syllables and ends in –L.

Example: label --- labelling
Rule # 4
We change a base form ending in ie to y.
Example: lie --- lying

Rule # 5
We add k to a base form ending in –c.
Example: picnic --- picnicking