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Adding -ing/-ed

Often we need to add -ing or -ed to a verb to make other forms of the verb, for example:
I was talking when John arrived

Spelling Rule
Just add -ing or -ed to the end of the base verb:

  • work, working, worked
  • play, playing, played
  • open, opening, opened

Exceptions
(note: C=consonant; V=vowel)

If the base verb ends in do this and add Examples
C + V + C and a stressed syllable double the final consonant ing

ed
stop, stopping, stopped
begin, beginning
C + e remove e phone, phoning, phoned
dance, dancing, danced
make, making
ie change ie to y ing lie, lying
die, dying
nothing d lie, lied
die, died
Test yourself with this -ing/-ed spelling quiz