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Spelling Changes. Present Continues

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Let's learn the spelling changes of the Present Continuous. Before we get started, please note that this is also often called the Present Progressive tense. 


Spelling:  Verbs that end with one -e

For verbs that end with one -e, drop the -e and add -ing.  Note that these verbs the -e sound  at the end is silent. (e.g., believe, bake, take, love).

  • believe — believing        
  • bake — baking        
  • love — loving        
  • take — taking      
  • choke — choking
  • make — making
  • have  — having

But:

With verbs ending with a long -e sound, add -ing as normal:

  • see — seeing
  • be — being
  • flee — fleeing
  • agree — agreeing


OLC


Spelling: Short one-syllable verbs ending in CVC

If the verb has one syllable and ends with CVC (a consonant + vowel + consonant), we double the final consonant before adding the -ing ending:

  • sit — sitting      
  • fit — fitting       
  • get — getting    
  • plan — planning     
  • run — running  
  • put   — putting
  • stop — stopping
  • swim — swimming


Spelling: verbs ending in w, x and y

Notice these verbs end in CVC (consonant vowel consonant). However, do not double the consonant for verbs that end in w, x or y.

  • throw — throwing       
  • blow — blowing     
  • show — showing      
  • play — playing       
  • flex — flexing


Spelling:  Two or more syllable verbs

When verbs ending in ending in CVC (consonant + vowel + consonant) have two or more syllables, double the last consonant if the last syllable is stressed.

  • begin — beginning (be / GIN = the last syllable is stressed)
  • control — controlling (con / TROL = the last syllable is stressed)
  • forget  — forgetting
  • upset — upsetting
  • regret — regretting
  • refer  — referring
  • commit  — committing

However, when the last syllable is not stressed, just add -ing as usual.

  • benefit — benefiting ( be / NE / fit  = second syllable is stressed not  the last)
  • happen — happening (HAPP / en = first syllable is stressed not  the last)
  • open — opening
  • listen — listening
  • deliver  — delivering


Spelling:  Verbs ending in -ie

If a verb ends in -ie change 'ie' to 'y' then add -ing.

  • die — dying   
  • lie — lying  
  • tie — tying  

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