-ing form (1)

1. The -ing form.

Look at these sentences:

Someone was laughing. (-ing forms part of verb phrase)
Laughing is good for you. (-ing is the subject of the verb)
I couldn’t stop laughing. (-ing follows verbs like stop, start, like, enjoy, etc.)
The laughing policeman... (-ing pre-modifies a noun, like an adjective)
I heard someone laughing. (-ing follows a verb of perception, such as hear, see, etc., plus noun)
The person laughing is my boss. (-ing post-modifies the noun, like a relative clause)

Identify the use of -ing in the sentences below.

2. Verbs that take -ing.

Put these verbs into three groups:

• Verbs that take -ing (like finish)
• Verbs that take to + infinitive (like want)
• Verbs that can take -ing or to + infinitive, but maybe with a difference of meaning (like try)

3. Verbs that take -ing.

Choose the best answer to complete the sentences.

4. -ing as subject.

Match the two parts of the sentences.