Sage-Tips

Is it correct to start a sentence with ing?

An “-ing” word at the start of a sentence is not wrong, if it is used in the correct way. Often authors use an “-ing” word, also called a gerund, to avoid using the word “I” too much.

What tense is verb first form ing?

progressive verb tenses
1. The “-ing” form is used in progressive verb tenses with auxiliary verbs (helping verbs).

Which verb form is used with ing?

-ing is a suffix used to make one of the inflected forms of English verbs. This verb form is used as a present participle, as a gerund, and sometimes as an independent noun or adjective.

Can you begin a sentence with a gerund?

Gerunds are often used at the beginning of a sentence, like “Fishing is my favorite sport” or “Seeing is believing.” Rewording sentences like that to avoid starting with an -ing word would result in pretty awkward flow.

How do you start a sentence with ing?

Starting a sentence with a word ending in -ing is perfectly ordinary, accepted, unremarkable English. Beginning, middle, or end of a paragraph; gerund, participle, or simply a word with that particular spelling— it does not matter.

Are ing words bad?

Yes, it’s okay to use words ending in –ing. Yes, it’s okay to begin sentences with words, even participles, ending in –ing. Yes, words that end in –ing can be overused and can create a rash of problems for the writer.

Are ing verbs singular or plural?

-ing as subject With an -ing verb form as a noun subject (called a gerund), always use a singular verb form. Playing the piano in front of a crowd causes anxiety. 3. Singular nouns ending in -s Some nouns end in -s (news, economics, physics, mathematics, statistics), but they are not plural.

Can you imagine to or ing?

GrammarImagine is followed by an -ing form, not an infinitive. You say: I can’t imagine living without music. ✗Don’t say: I can’t imagine to live without music.

What is an ing phrase?

A gerund phrase is a phrase consisting of a gerund and any modifiers or objects associated with it. A gerund is a noun made from a verb root plus ing (a present participle). A whole gerund phrase functions in a sentence just like a noun, and can act as a subject, an object, or a predicate nominative.

Can you start sentences with verbs?

People often begin spoken sentences with a verb, particularly imperative sentences, such as “Join a gym if you want to be healthy,” and interrogatives, such as “Do you know where the stapler is?” Although written language tends to abide by different rules and formalities than spoken language, even writers of academic …

What is the meaning of -ING in English grammar?

1. The “-ing” form is used in progressive verb tenses with auxiliary verbs (helping verbs). These are in active vo ice. Here are some examples: I am doing my homework. I have been writing all day.

How do you use the -ING and past participle correctly?

Learning to use the “-ing,” the infinitive (“to” + base form of the verb), and the past participle (in regular verbs, this is formed by adding “-ed” to the end of the verb) verb forms correctly can be challenging. When do you use “finishing” versus “to finish ” versus “finished”?

When do we use the -ing form or the infinitive?

After certain verbs we use the -ing form, and after other verbs we use the infinitive. Sometimes we can use either form and there is no change in meaning. Occasionally we can use either form and there is a change in meaning. So what’s the rule for whether we use the -ing form or the infinitive?

Which verbs can be followed by the -ing form?

Some verbs can be followed by the -ing form OR the to-infinitive form without a big change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start Note that the expression “something wants doing” is used more in British English than in American English.