What Are Ing Words? Definition and 10 Common Examples
Ing words are very important in English grammar and daily use. They help to show ongoing actions, turn verbs into nouns, and describe people or things. Mastering ing words improves writing, speaking, and exam results. They are also common in school tests and important for building a strong English vocabulary.
| Base Verb | Ing Word | Type | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run | Running | Present participle / Gerund | She is running fast. |
| Read | Reading | Present participle / Gerund | Reading is fun. |
| Swim | Swimming | Present participle / Gerund | He is swimming in the pool. |
| Surprise | Surprising | Adjective | It was a surprising news. |
| Sing | Singing | Present participle / Gerund | She loves singing. |
What Are Ing Words?
Ing words are words that end with the suffix "-ing". They are made by adding "-ing" to a verb. Ing words show ongoing actions, can work as nouns (gerunds), verbs (present participles), or adjectives. They appear in many tenses and descriptions.
How Are Ing Words Formed?
Most ing words are formed by adding "-ing" to the base form of a verb. But sometimes, you need to change the spelling.
Rules for Adding -ing
- Add "-ing" directly: run → running, read → reading
- Drop the silent "e": make → making, write → writing
- Double the last consonant after a single vowel: sit → sitting, swim → swimming
- Keep "ie", change to "y": lie → lying, die → dying
Types of Ing Words and Their Usage
Ing words are not only verbs. They can also act as nouns or adjectives in sentences. This is important for grammar and vocabulary building.
Gerunds (Noun Form)
When an ing word is used as a noun, it is called a gerund. Example: Swimming is healthy.
Present Participles (Verb Form)
When ing words are part of verb tenses like continuous tenses, they are present participles. Example: She is playing outside.
Ing Adjectives
Sometimes, ing words describe nouns, acting like adjectives. Example: It was an exciting match.
List of Common Ing Words
Here are some popular ing words used in daily English and school exams. These help in quickly building vocabulary.
- Running
- Eating
- Reading
- Swimming
- Writing
- Singing
- Jumping
- Dancing
- Playing
- Making
Short and Easy Ing Words for Kids
Short ing words are perfect for beginner learners and younger students.
| 3-Letter Ing Words | 4-Letter Ing Words | 5-Letter Ing Words |
|---|---|---|
| ing (ending sound, not common as a stand-alone word) | King (not an ing word, do not confuse) | Bring, Swing |
| - | Ring, Sing | Cling, Swing |
Using Ing Words in Sentences
Using ing words correctly in sentences is important for writing and speaking English well. Look at these sentence examples:
- She is singing a song. (present participle)
- Reading improves your mind. (gerund)
- I saw a barking dog. (adjective)
- He is swimming now. (present participle)
- Writing helps in exams. (gerund)
Common Mistakes with Ing Words
Some mistakes are common when using ing words. Here are tips to avoid them:
- Do not double the consonant unless the verb ends with one vowel and one consonant (run → running, not runing)
- Drop the "e" at the end of verbs (make → making, not makeing)
- "ie" changes to "y" before adding "-ing" (lie → lying)
- Not all words ending in "ing" are verbs (boring, interesting can be adjectives)
Practice Activity: Identify the Ing Word
Choose the ing word in each sentence:
- The boy is jumping in the park.
- Dancing is her favorite hobby.
- I am making a card for my mother.
- The running water is cold.
- We are playing cricket.
Related Topics and Learning Resources
Learning about ing words helps with many other grammar lessons. For more, see:
- Verb Forms Guide (V1 V2 V3 V4 V5)
- Present Continuous Tense
- Regular Verbs
- Irregular Verbs
- Parts of Speech
- Gerund Examples
- Sentence Structure
- Grammar for Class 3
- Vocabulary Words for Kids
In summary, ing words are essential building blocks in English grammar. They make sentences active, help describe actions, turn verbs into nouns, and enrich your vocabulary. Knowing types, spelling rules, and usage makes schoolwork, exams, and everyday English much easier. Practise using ing words daily to get better at writing and speaking. At Vedantu, we offer simple explanations and fun practice for mastering ing words.
FAQs on Ing Words in English: Meaning, Rules & Examples
1. What are ing words in English?
Ing words, also known as present participles or gerunds, are words ending in '-ing'. They describe actions, states of being, or function as nouns. Examples include running, eating, and singing.
2. What are some common examples of ing words?
Many words end in -ing! Here are some common examples: running, eating, playing, singing, swimming, jumping, writing, reading, drawing, thinking. These are often used to show continuous actions in the present continuous tense.
3. Are all ing words verbs?
No, not all ing words are verbs. While many function as present participles (verbs showing ongoing action), some act as nouns (gerunds) or even adjectives. For example, 'Swimming is my favorite sport' (gerund/noun), and 'That's an interesting story' (adjective).
4. How do you make a word into an ing word?
Generally, add '-ing' to the base verb. However, there are spelling rules: * Drop the final 'e' if present (e.g., 'make' becomes 'making'). * Double the final consonant if it's preceded by a single vowel (e.g., 'run' becomes 'running'). * Some irregular verbs have unique changes.
5. What are ing words called?
Ing words have two main names: present participles when they function as verbs (part of a verb phrase), and gerunds when they function as nouns. They can also act as adjectives.
6. What are 10 words with the ing form?
Here are ten examples of ing words: walking, talking, sleeping, eating, drinking, reading, writing, playing, singing, dancing.
7. What are 5 words with the suffix "ing"?
Five words ending in '-ing': being, doing, going, seeing, having. These demonstrate simple examples of present participles.
8. What is a 5-letter word with ing?
A five-letter ing word: being. This is a common example and useful for understanding the ing suffix in short words.
9. Can you start a sentence with an ing word?
Yes, you can start a sentence with an ing word, often creating a participial phrase. For example: 'Running through the park, I saw a squirrel.' This adds descriptive detail to the beginning of your sentence.
10. What is the difference between a gerund and a present participle?
Both gerunds and present participles end in '-ing', but their grammatical functions differ. A present participle acts as part of a verb phrase (e.g., 'She is singing'), while a gerund acts as a noun (e.g., 'Singing is her passion').
11. Are there adjectives that end in ing?
Yes, many words ending in '-ing' function as adjectives. For example: 'An exciting game,' 'a boring lecture,' 'a fascinating topic.' These descriptive words enhance sentence meaning.
12. Why do some verbs double the last letter when adding "ing"?
Verbs with one vowel followed by a consonant often double the final consonant before adding '-ing' to maintain correct pronunciation. For example, 'run' becomes 'running,' and 'swim' becomes 'swimming'.
