Present Continuous Tense Rules with Examples
General +ing Rules
In general, we add +ing at the end of the verb in present continuous tense.
Examples of present continuous tense
eat -> eating, go -> going, look -> looking, read -> reading
Verbs ending in Consonant + E
Remove 'e' add 'ing'
Examples
dance -> dancing, make -> making, ride -> riding, write -> writing
Verbs ending in IE
We remove from verb 'ie' add 'ying' in present continuous tense. We have created present continuous tense tests, you must try that.
Examples of present continuous tense
die -> dying, lie -> lying, tie -> tying
Verbs ends with (Consonant + Vowel + Consonant)
verbs ends in consonant + vowel + consonant -> double the final consonant and add +ing.
Examples
cut -> cutting, run -> running, sit -> sitting, stop -> stopping, swim -> swimming.
Verbs ending in W or X or Y
The exception to the above rule is verbs ends with w, x and y. Don't forget to attempt present continuous tense tests as given above.
Examples
snow -> snowing, fix -> fixing, play -> playing
Last syllable not stressed
Don't double the final letter before adding ING in present continuous tense
Examples of present continuous tense
- happen -> happening
- listen -> listening
- offer -> offering
- open -> opening
- visit -> visiting
- whisper -> whispering
C+V+C last syllable is stressed
Examples
- admit -> admitting
- begin -> beginning
- forget -> forgetting
- refer -> referring
- submit -> submitting
- upset -> upsetting
Verbs ends with Consonant + Vowel + Letter L
Double the final L, Do not double the final L unless stressed in present continuous tense. You must try the above present continuous tense tests (MCQ and fill the blanks).
Examples of present continuous tense
- equal -> equaling
- travel -> travelling
- control -> controlling
Don't forget to try Present Simple Tense s/es/ies Tests with Rules here.
