-INGing

Suffix -ING

Adding -ING to a verb shows something is happening right now, like 'running' and 'playing'.

How this rule works

The suffix -ing is added to verbs to show an ongoing action (present participle). Sometimes the base word changes: drop silent E ('make' → 'making'), double final consonant ('run' → 'running').

Examples

runningplayingmakinggoingreading

Words that use this rule

337 words in the SnapPhonics dictionary use this rule. Tap any word to see how it breaks into sounds. Showing the first 200 alphabetically.

actingaddingaffirminganimatingansweringanythingapproachingaskingaspiringawningbakingbangingbankingbarkingbeginningbeingbendingbitingblamingblazingbleedingblessingblindingblingblockingboatingboilingbookingboringboxingbrakingbramblingbrandingbreathingbrewingbringbrushingbuildingbumpingburningbuzzingcallingcampingcaringcarryingcarvingcastingcatchingcausingceilingcelebratingchallengingchangingchargingcharmingchasingchattingcheatingcheckingcheeringchewingchoppingcirclingclappingcleaningclearingclimbingclingclosingcoachingcoatingcodingcoloringcolorshiftingcombingcomingcommemoratingconcatenatingcontributingcoolingcopyingcounterfeitingcountingcoveringcrackingcrashingcrawlingcrossingcrushingcryingcultivatingcuttingdancingdealingdemolishingdepictingdevelopingdiggingdiningdippingdisplayingditheringdivingdoingdottingdraggingdrainingdrawingdreamingdressingdrillingdrinkingdrippingdrivingdroppingdrummingdryingdumpingduringdustingeatingembodyingemergingenclosingencompassingendingenduringengenderingengravingenjoyingenteringescalatingeveningeverythingevolvingexcitingexhaustingexperimentingexploringfacilitatingfacingfadingfailingfallingfarmingfeaturingfeedingfeelingfightingfillingfindingfinishingfishingfittingfixingflashingflickeringfloatingflowingflyingfoalingfoldingfollowingforcingformingfosteringfoundingfrecklingfreezingfrighteninggaininggallopinggardeninggatheringgettinggivingglowinggoinggrabbinggradinggreetinggrindinggrippinggrowingguardingguessingguidinghandinghanginghappeninghauntinghavingheadinghealinghearingheatinghelpinghidinghikinghitting

Exceptions

Spelling changes: drop silent E before -ing; double final consonant after short vowel + single consonant.

What is SnapPhonics?

A phonics reference for teachers, parents and learners. Every English word, broken into the sounds that make it — with audio, syllables, and the rule behind each spelling.

Save words to study lists, build flashcard decks, and scan your own worksheets and books.

Create a free account