A.2.3 Verb Rules
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.
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Basic rule
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Just add -ing
to the base verb:
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Work
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>
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working
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Play
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>
|
playing
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Assist
|
>
|
assisting
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See
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>
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seeing
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Be
|
>
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being
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Exception 1
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If the base
verb ends in consonant + stressed vowel + consonant, double the last
letter:
(vowels = a,
e, i, o, u)
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Stop
|
>
|
stopping
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Run
|
>
|
running
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Begin
|
>
|
beginning
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Note that
this exception does not apply when the last syllable of the base verb
is not stressed:
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Open
|
>
|
opening
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Exception 2
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If the base
verb ends in ie, change the ie to y:
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Lie
|
>
|
lying
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Die
|
>
|
dying
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Exception 3
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If the base
verb ends in vowel + consonant + e, omit the e:
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Come
|
>
|
coming
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mistake
|
>
|
mistaking
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