Present continuous spelling rules

• Engels
• Secundair onderwijs

Present continuous

Spelling rules

How do you form the present continuous? (verb structure)

She is .... (to dry) her hair

1. drieing
2. drying
3. dryeing
4. dryng

Verbs ending in y

y+ ING

no problem in spelling or pronunciation

ing-form of die

verbs ending in -ie

ie --> y + ing

dying

lying

RUN--> Running
When do we double the last letter? you can answer in Dutch!

When do we double?

The spelling rule is if the word has

 

-1 syllable (a word with one vowel sound)

-1 vowel and it ends in 1 consonant

What is the -ing form of happen?

1. happening
2. hapening
3. happenning
4. hapenning

What is the -ing form of commit?

1. commiting
2. committing
3. comiting
4. comitting

When do we double?

*Verbs with 2 syllables (lettergrepen)

*We double when the stress (= klemtoon) is on the last syllable.

e.g. commit --> committing

BUT happen --> happening

-ing form of to snow

ending in -e (shine)

ending in y (try)

ending in ie (lie)

ending in (w/x)

ending in l

drop the e (shining)

+ ing (trying)

--> y + ing

never double

British English double

See book p 17

Grammar Summary p 28-30-33