– ing forms

We can use the –ing form of a verb:

• as a noun:

I love swimming.
Swimming is very good for your health.
You can get fit by swimming regularly.

• as an adjective:

The main problem today is rising prices.
That programme was really boring.
He saw a woman lying on the floor.

–ing forms as nouns

–ing nouns are nearly always uncount nouns. They can be used:

• as the subject of a verb:

Learning English is not easy.

• as the object of a verb:

We enjoy learning English.

–ing forms as adjectives

The –ing adjective can come:

• in front of a noun:

I read an interesting article in the newspaper today.
We saw a really exciting match on Sunday.

• after a link verb like be, look or sound:

Your new book sounds very interesting.
The children can be really annoying.

• after a noun:

Who is that man standing over there?
The boy talking to Angela is her younger brother

• especially after verbs of the senses like see, watch, hear, smell, etc.:

I heard someone playing the piano.
I can smell something burning.

The commonest –ing adjectives are:

amusing boring disappointing

interesting surprising tiring

worrying exciting frightening

shocking terrifying annoying