A structural survey of form – ing (v4).

While writing or reading verb form 4 (ing) comes in different roles, so it is significant to understand. We will understand all v4 different roles today.

Role-1: As a finite, if verb form-4 is followed by helping verb “be” (if helping verb “be” comes before verb form-4). The role of the -ing form is as a main verb. Like:

I am going.

John is playing cricket.

They were watching TV

We were sleeping.

I was waiting for you.

So in the above sentences, going, playing, watching, sleeping, and waiting are verb.

Role-2: As a gerund (non-finite), when a verb form-4 is used as a subject or an object. It is called a gerund. Like:

Walking is good for your health.

She likes dancing.

Smoking is injurious to health

Writing is an exchange of ideas.

I love reading.

In the above sentences, walking, dancing, smoking, writing, and reading are gerund.

Role-3: As an adjective also called present participle (non-finite), when verb form-4 is used as an adjective in a sentence. It is called a present participle. Like:

I saw a playing boy.

I read a piece of interesting news.

The barking dog was calm today.

It was a very tiring day at the workplace.

In the above sentences, playing, interesting, barking, and tiring are adjectives. Since these verbs are saying something about the noun.