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How do we spell the Present Continuous Tense?
We make the present continuous tense by adding -ing to the base verb. Normally it's simple - we just add -ing. But sometimes we have to change the word a little. Perhaps we double the last letter, or we drop a letter. Here are the rules to help you know how to spell the present continuous tense.
| Basic rule |
Just add -ing to the base verb: |
| work |
> |
working |
| play |
> |
playing |
| assist |
> |
assisting |
| see |
> |
seeing |
| be |
> |
being |
| Exception 1 |
If the base verb ends in consonant + stressed vowel + consonant, double the last letter:
| s |
t |
o |
p |
| |
consonant |
stressed
vowel |
consonant |
(vowels = a, e, i, o, u) |
| stop |
> |
stopping |
| run |
> |
running |
| begin |
> |
beginning |
| Note that this exception does not apply when the last syllable of the base verb is not stressed: |
| open |
> |
opening |
| Exception 2 |
If the base verb ends in ie, change the ie to y: |
| lie |
> |
lying |
| die |
> |
dying |
| Exception 3 |
If the base verb ends in vowel + consonant + e, omit the e: |
| come |
> |
coming |
| mistake |
> |
mistaking |
Now check your understanding »
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