Present Progressive - Exceptions in Spelling Level: elementary

Animation: exceptions in spelling

A single, silent e at the end of the word is dropped before ing.

example: come - coming
I am coming home. You are coming home. He is coming home.

But: ee at the end of the word is not changed

example: agree - agreeing

The final consonant after a short, stressed vowel is doubled before ing.

example: sit - sitting
I am sitting on the sofa. You are sitting on the sofa. He is sitting on the sofa.

The letter l as final consonant after a vowel is always doubled before ing.

example: travel - travelling
I am travelling around. You are travelling around. He is travelling around.

Mind: This applies only for British English; in American English there is usually only one l.

An ie at the end of a word becomes y before ing.

example: lie - lying
I am lying in bed. You are lying in bed. He is lying in bed.

Exercise on exceptions in spelling 1

Exercise on exceptions in spelling 2

go to Short Forms ►

Changed: 28th May 2004 00:32

URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/present-progressive/exceptions