1. Basic Rule: Add "-ing" directly:
* This is the most common case:
* Walk + "-ing" = walking
* Play + "-ing" = playing
* Jump + "-ing" = jumping
2. Doubling Consonants:
* If a word ends in a single vowel followed by a single consonant, you double the consonant before adding "-ing":
* Run + "-ing" = running
* Swim + "-ing" = swimming
* Stop + "-ing" = stopping
3. Exceptions to Doubling Consonants:
* Words ending in "w", "x", or "y" do not double the consonant:
* Saw + "-ing" = sawing
* Fix + "-ing" = fixing
* Fly + "-ing" = flying
4. Words Ending in "e":
* Most words ending in "e" drop the "e" before adding "-ing":
* Make + "-ing" = making
* Bake + "-ing" = baking
* Hope + "-ing" = hoping
* Exceptions: If the word ends in "ee", the "e" is not dropped:
* See + "-ing" = seeing
* Agree + "-ing" = agreeing
5. Irregular Verbs:
* Some verbs have irregular forms when adding "-ing":
* Lie + "-ing" = lying
* Have + "-ing" = having
* Do + "-ing" = doing
Remember: The best way to learn how to spell words with "-ing" is to practice and look at the words in a dictionary or online.