Questions tagged [ing]

For questions about the -ing suffix.

137 questions
16
votes
4 answers

Can a sentence have two ing-verbs in a row?

Perhaps I've got the wrong idea, but I've been taught that two verbs ending in -ing shouldn't go together. However, I come across such cases occasionally. *I'm considering buying a new car. I'm practicing playing the piano. He is finishing saying…
Voli
  • 171
4
votes
3 answers

the linking word as

.."it is never the same as seeing it on the big screen" In this sentence, the word "as" is followed by a ing form? Is it possible to say: "..it is never the same as to see it on the big screen"
4
votes
4 answers

Questions about using "to+ ing"

I heard this sentence in a film: We are one step closer to ending this. I do not know why we have to use "ending" instead of "end". Is "Step to" a phrasal verb?
3
votes
1 answer

I'm not too sure if the use of v+ing is appropriate in this sentence

In my opinion, both sentences are grammatically correct but I'm not too sure how the v+ing can be used in this particular situation: 1. The use of language to establish identity was nicely presented in a recent study led by Andy Baron at Harvard…
2
votes
3 answers

'contribute to achieve' or 'contribute to achieving'?

I have the following sentence and I need your help: "Renewable energy sources can contribute to achieving the climate goals" Is this correct or do I have to write: "Renewable energy sources can contribute to achieve the climate goals" I'd appreciate…
PeterBe
  • 354
2
votes
1 answer

hand-holding versus holding hands

An author has this sentence: Kids should not be forced to show physical affection through hugs, kisses, roughhousing, lap sitting, or handholding. I checked the dictionary* to see if handholding needed a hyphen, and saw that the definition in the…
Lacey
  • 492
1
vote
1 answer

Choosing between -ing and -tion or -age

There are many cases that I have to choose between the -ing form of a verb and the -tion or - age nouns. Like this question: Local waves within the harbor make ...... difficult, if not impossible. 1. anchoring 2. anchorage Which one is correct? Is…
0
votes
1 answer

participate or be participating

Which of the following is more idiomatic? List out the groups you participate in. List out the groups you're participating in.
ddffbb
  • 37
0
votes
1 answer

"He was sitting on the bench" or "He sat on the bench"

He was sitting on the bench. He sat on the bench. What is the difference in the meaning between those two? All I could find on Google was that the first alternative most of the time is preferable when talking about a specific time. I was taught…
emeliec
  • 177
0
votes
1 answer

Can a phrase with an -ing come after a comma and another clause with an -ing?

Is this sentence grammatically correct? The teenagers drove to the party, some arriving in sports cars, others arriving in limousines. I'm familiar if the sentence ended after the "some arriving in sports cars" phrase. But, can I place another…
0
votes
1 answer

Confused between the usage of the sentence starting with Looking forward to

Could anyone tell me which one is correct : 1) Looking forward to do more homework exercises with you in future OR 2) Looking forward in doing more homework exercises with you in future Since I am using ing with look, it seems more appropriate to…
John
  • 101
-1
votes
1 answer

Occupy vs. occupying

Please read the following sentence: Determine the mechanism by which the elements occupying the system interact with one another. Is occupying grammatically correct in this context? Should that occupy be used instead?
-1
votes
1 answer

-ing forms question

I saw this sentence somewhere. I know it’s right, but I can’t explain why to use the -ing form here twice: There was no mistaking the smell. Burning. There was a fire somewhere.