This document discusses the different grammatical uses of the present participle (-ing form) of verbs in English. It covers when present participles can be used as adjectives, nouns, to show actions taking place or happening simultaneously, after certain verbs to show causality or perception, and after certain prepositions. Examples are provided for each use to illustrate when and how present participles change the meaning and function of verbs in sentences.

2. SUBJECT-VERB-AGREEMENT1
BASE FORM (VERBS)2
TENSES3
PRESENT PARTICIPLE (-ing forms)4
PAST PARTICIPLE5
SPELLING6
PUNCTUATION & CAPITALISATION7

3. (1) As adjectives
That is an interesting book.
PRESENT PARTICIPLE (-ing forms)4
My mother is a working woman.
The following words are verbs.
Karina and Josie had such an amazing friendship.
The instructions given is confusing.

4. (2) As nouns (gerunds)
Swimming is good for health.
PRESENT PARTICIPLE (-ing forms)4
Choosing what to wear can be such a task!
I hate waiting.
Not being on time is disrespectful.
He began learning English last year.

5. (3) As actions taking place (continuous)
She is sleeping.
PRESENT PARTICIPLE (-ing forms)4
They were doing homework when it rained.
He is watching television.
I am going to leave the cat with you.
Jack and Jill are walking towards the hill.

6. (4) To show simultaneity and causality
She is sweeping the floor while listening to music.
PRESENT PARTICIPLE (-ing forms)4
While speaking on the phone, she doodles.
By using the dictionary, he found all the words.
You have saved me by calling the police!
He finished dinner while watching television.

7. (5) To show a past condition resulting in another
action (replacing ‘as’, ‘since’, ‘because’)
Having spent all his money, he returned home.
PRESENT PARTICIPLE (-ing forms)4
Thinking she would be late, she rushed.
Not realising she was on the wrong bus, she left.
Feeling hungry, he went to the kitchen.
Being poor, he does not spend much on clothes.

8. (6) With verbs ‘spend’ and ‘waste’
My boss spends two hours a day travelling to
work.
PRESENT PARTICIPLE (-ing forms)4
Don’t waste time playing computer games.
They have spent the whole day shopping!

9. (6) With verbs ‘catch’ when it shows an action
that can cause annoyance or anger
If I catch you lying again, I will tell your parents.
PRESENT PARTICIPLE (-ing forms)4
Don’t let him catch you reading his journal!
You’d better not be caught leaving the room in a
mess.

10. (7) With verbs ‘find’ which is unemotional
We found some money lying on the floor.
PRESENT PARTICIPLE (-ing forms)4
At last, we found her sitting at the garden.

11. (8) After verbs of perception
I heard Anna singing.
PRESENT PARTICIPLE (-ing forms)4
He saw his friends eating at the stall.
I can smell something burning!
She watches him eating all the food.
Tim sensed the lion approaching.

12. (8) After prepositions
Can you sneeze without opening your mouth?
PRESENT PARTICIPLE (-ing forms)4
Stop staring at me!
She is good at painting.
Before buying a computer, do look around first.
Tim start the speech by telling a joke.

13. By :
Ms Nur Azlin Zainalaludin & Ms Norlini Abdullah
Kolej Islam Sultan Alam Shah
June/2012