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           Present Continuous (Progressive) Tense

Spelling Rules

How do we spell the Present Continuous Tense when we add ing to the verb?


Spelling Table 

Basic Rule We just add +ing to the verb. feed - feeding

drink - drinking

say - saying

ends with -e 

-e falls

write - writing

come  -  coming

dance  -  dancing

if last three letters are

consonant + vowel  + consonant
(vowels = a, e, i, o, u)

(consonants= b,c,d,t,...)




 double syllables








(except for verbs ending -w, -x,  -y )

last consonant is written twice





if stress is on the second syllable, last letter is written twice.

sit  -  sitting

run -  running

swim   -  swimming

stop   - stopping



Prefer preferring

Begin beginning

Control controlling

Forget forgetting

Listen listening

Open opening


Play playing

Show showing

ending with -ie 


-ie falls

-y is used instead.

Lie lying

Die dying












in a sentence









Other Lessons on Present Continuous
Other Exercises on Present Continuous
Positive form   Negative Form    Question Form  Contractions (short forms) Uses and functions   Time Expressions   Example Sentences
Wh Questions  Spelling Rules  Yes - No Questions    Simple Present & Present Continuous   Non-continuous Verbs   Both Continuous and Non-continuous Verbs
Negative Form -1   Negative Form -2  Negatives -3  Question Form 1
Question Form 2  Spelling Test  Positive Form -1   Positive form -2
Positive Form -3   Wh - questions 1  Wh - questions -2  Yes - No Questions  Quiz  Simple Present or Present Continuous -1  Simple Present or Present Continuous -2  Simple Present or Present Continuous -3  Present progressive or simple present -4  Stative Verbs





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in a sentence