ParticiplePresent

The present participle is the -ing form of a verb in English. It is a non-finite verb form used to express ongoing action, to form certain tenses, and to function as an adjective or in participial clauses. It is commonly referred to as the -ing participle or the present participle of a verb.

Formation and spelling: The present participle is usually formed by adding -ing to the base form of the verb. Spelling adjustments include several common rules: if the base ends in -e, the -e is usually dropped before adding -ing (make → making), though some verbs retain the final -e when the result shows a long vowel, as in seeing. If the base ends in -ie, this changes to -ying (die → dying). For one-syllable verbs that end in a single vowel followed by a single consonant, the final consonant is often doubled before adding -ing (run → running; sit → sitting), with exceptions for some two-syllable words where the stress is not on the last syllable. In British English, some verbs retain a trailing -l or spell the -ing form differently (travel → travelling/traveling).

Functions and use: The present participle forms the progressive (continuous) aspect with auxiliary be (I am walking, they were running). It can modify nouns as an adjective (a running stream, the crying child) or introduce participial clauses that add information to a sentence (Walking home, she found a letter). It is distinct from the gerund, which also ends in -ing but functions as a noun (Swimming is fun).

Examples: I am reading a book. A running river defeated the current. Walking along the beach, we talked. Swimming helps my fitness.