Spelling Changes. Present Continuous

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

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