ING Funtions

After a preposition

Verbs with ing is the only possible verbal form that functions as object to prepositions. When after the verb comes a preposition we must use the "-ing form". For example:

- before purshasing

- For beirng

- with becoming

 She isn't very happy about  leaving  her child alone in the house.

There are some common grammatical errors. When we make the mistake of using a bare infinitives or to-infinitives instead of gerunds after prepositions. For example

- She isn't very happy about  leave  her child alone in the house.

- She isn't very happy about to leave  her child alone in the house.

Source: http://suite101.com/a/how-use-gerunds-after-prepositions


Present participle

We use the -ing form after a noun. The term "participle" refers here to the gerund as well as to what is traditionally called the present participle. For Example:


- Children shouting

- Women crying

There are two basic types can be distinguished, depending on the underlying relationship of the preceding noun modifier to the head.

1.- The premodifying noun is the underlying direct object of the verb:

House building <- The building of house <- (someone) Build houses

2.- This is less productive, category the preceding noun, has an underlying adverbial relationship of place, time, or manner) to the head noun.:

 night dancing <- dancing at night <- (someone) dance at night

Source: https://sites.google.com/site/agrammaroferrors/1-1-the-noun-phrase/1-9/1-9-1


As a present participle clause

We use the -ing form after a noun and before of related noun or object. For Example:

- Women eating chocolate

- I'm in your house (noun) eating (gerund) your food (obj). 

As a gerund phrase

In a gerund phrase the ing-form is a noun so they will be subjects, subject complements or objects in the sentence. It means that gerund is a verb form which functions as a noun, and it can includes other modifiers. Example:

Creating a good atmosfher is important for a class

Is a gerund phrase because the sentence begin with a gerund as a noun (creating) and then it have a verb (is).

Not Always a gerund phrase begins with -ing form. Sometimes it are after of the verb. For example:

Mr Wilson aren't prepared to authorise climbing the cliffs in the dark

Common errors with a gerund phrase:

-Gerund Phrase
Eating blackberries without washing them will make you ill.

-Other grammatical form no gerund phrase

Eating blackberries without washing them, people have a big health problems because they become ill due not washing their fruit

How to

Following instructions

Baking a cake

Cleaning a house

Doing homework

Driving a car

Continous or progressive form (in future, past o present tense)

In this case the ing form is used with verb to be and action in progress


I´m talking right now

I will be talking in two hours

I was talking yesterday

As an adjetive

That sentence uses an adjective with ing form, for describe a situation or characteristic of something

The commonest -ing adjectives are:

amusing	shocking	surprising	frightening
interesting	disappointing	exciting	tiring
worrying	boring	terrifying	annoying

I read a very interesting article in the newspaper today

That Dracula film was absolutely terrifying

Caracas is an exciting city

source:http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/ingform/menu.php


As a noun

When it is used like a noun it may or may not have an article before it.

The smoking goes against your health

Smoking goes against your health

It can also be part of a 'noun phrase'.

Speaking to an audience is always stressful.

Swimming after work is very relaxing.

source: http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/ingform/menu.php


After certains words

The gerund has the same form as the present participle (V-ing)

It is often used after the following verbs:

admit, avoid, consider, delay, deny, detest, dread, enjoy, envisage, fancy, feel like, finish, imagine, involve, keep, mind, miss, postpone, practise, recall, regret, resent, risk, stop, suggest


Stop smoking

Keep studying

I like eating chocolate