2. The Verb + -ing used as the Present Participle

a) The present participle is the verb + –ing. It is used: 1. as the present continuous tense of the verb. EXAMPLE: It is raining at the moment. / The dog is barking at the clown. 2. after an action verb. EXAMPLE: He went fishing with his father. / They played catching the ball on the beach. 3. after the verb and object , that is verb + object + present participle. EXAMPLE: The detectives caught someone pickpocketing. / We saw a small dog chasing a cat. Here, the verbs caught and saw are followed by the objects someone and dog, and then the present participles pickpocketing and chasing. The use of present participle indicates the action was still going on. 4. to show two actions are done by the same person and are happening at the same time. EXAMPLE: Walking to the gate, he turned to wave to his neighbour. b) Verb + preposition + –ing form I had to apologize for stepping on her toes. Her main aim now is to concentrate on passing her exam. We finally decided on holidaying in Hawaii. Sometimes Jack and Jill think of going up the hill. The gang of youth was arrested for fighting in the street. c) Linking word + –ing form Mr. Wood went to play golf in spite of feeling unwell. Although joining the company only a year ago, she's already been promoted twice. Johnny has not been seen for a year since leaving home. He never fails to turn off the light when leaving his room. She is paid well for cleaning the office. We always have hot drinks after swimming. d) Using verbs and verbs + –ing form We can use either the simple form of the verb or the –ing form of a verb. There is very little difference in meaning between the two forms. a) I saw Jack walk along the river. b) I saw Jack walking along the river. c) I heard Jill sing in the bathroom. d) I heard Jill singing in the bathroom. There is no difference in meaning between (a) and (b), and (c) and (d). The –ing form of a verb is better used with while. EXAMPLE: I saw Jack while he was walking along the river. The use of while indicates an action is still going on. "I heard Jill while she was singing in the bathroom" means the singing was still going on when I heard it.