The -ing Form

Reference

Common mistakes

1. I enjoy to read comics. → I enjoy reading comics.
   enjoy + -ing
2. She is good at sing. → She is good at singing.
   preposition + -ing
3. We went to swimming. → We went swimming.
   go + -ing, no to
4. Running are good for you. → Running is good for you.
   -ing subject → singular verb

The -ing Form — Exercises

Choose the correct form

Circle the correct answer.

1. I don't mind _____ the dishes. (doing / to do / do)
2. Thanks for _____ me with my homework. (helping / help / to help)
3. _____ in the sea is my favourite thing in summer. (Swimming / Swim / To swimming)
4. Let's go _____ this afternoon. (shopping / to shop / to shopping)
5. He finally gave up _____ . (smoking / to smoke / smoke)
6. I'm looking forward to _____ you. (seeing / see / saw)
7. She left without _____ goodbye. (saying / say / to say)
8. Playing video games all day _____ bad for your eyes. (is / are / be)

Write the -ing form

Write the verb in brackets in the -ing form (and a preposition if needed).

1. I'm not very good   maths. (at / do)
2. Have you finished   your room? (tidy)
3. We went   in the mountains. (ski)
4. After   dinner, we watched a film. (have)
5. Can you imagine   on the moon? (live)
6.   a new language is hard work. (learn)

The -ing Form — Answer Key

Choose the correct form

1. doing — mind + -ing.
2. helping — After a preposition (for) → -ing.
3. Swimming — An activity as the subject → Swimming.
4. shopping — go + -ing: go shopping.
5. smoking — give up + -ing.
6. seeing — look forward to + -ing (to is a preposition here).
7. saying — without + -ing.
8. is — An -ing subject takes a singular verb: is.

Write the -ing form

1. at doing
2. tidying
3. skiing
4. having
5. living
6. Learning