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Level: B2

Gerunds, Verbs, and Adjectives — Understanding -ing Forms

Many English words end in -ing. Decide whether each -ing word is acting as a noun (gerund), a verb (part of a verb phrase), or an adjective (describing a noun). Includes the simple “replace with a noun” test and 70+ click-to-hear example sentences.

📝 Nouns unit · lesson 14 of 14 — the final test ⏱ about 15 minutes 🔊 every example has audio

Builds on Gerund or Infinitive? Unit complete? All grammar quizzes →

  • The same -ing word in all three roles
  • We will be running together. – Verb
  • I found a running faucet. – Adjective
  • He hates running. – Noun
  • She is swimming right now. – Verb
  • Did you see the swimming dog? – Adjective
  • I really enjoy swimming. – Noun
  • They were dancing last night. – Verb
  • Look at that dancing couple! – Adjective
  • Dancing always cheers me up. – Noun
  • She kept singing all day. – Noun
  • Everyone watched the singing woman. – Adjective
  • I like singing in the shower. – Noun
  • I am cooking now. – Verb
  • Where is the cooking pot? – Adjective
  • He dislikes cooking. – Noun
  • Are you reading this book? – Verb
  • The reading lamp is on the desk. – Adjective
  • She finished reading quickly. – Noun
  • We were writing letters together. – Verb
  • Bring me the writing paper. – Adjective
  • Writing helps clear my mind. – Noun
  • I watched her painting outside. – Verb
  • He bought a painting brush. – Adjective
  • He practices painting daily. – Noun
  • The plane is flying low. – Verb
  • Who drew that flying horse? – Adjective
  • I do not like flying. – Noun
  • The kids are sleeping now. – Verb
  • I see a sleeping baby. – Adjective
  • Sleeping should be restful. – Noun
  • He is barking at strangers. – Verb
  • We heard a barking dog. – Adjective
  • Barking bothers some people. – Noun
  • My sister was crying yesterday. – Verb
  • Did you see that crying child? – Adjective
  • I heard crying from upstairs. – Noun
  • The child was laughing loudly. – Verb
  • I like your laughing face. – Adjective
  • Laughing is good for you. – Noun
  • The sun is shining today. – Verb
  • Look at the shining stars. – Adjective
  • Shining attracts attention. – Noun
  • We are playing outside. – Verb
  • I bought a playing mat for kids. – Adjective
  • Playing helps us learn. – Noun
  • She kept walking fast. – Noun
  • There is a walking trail nearby. – Adjective
  • Walking is very healthy. – Noun
  • The plant is growing quickly. – Verb
  • I watered the growing plants. – Adjective
  • Growing can be difficult. – Noun
  • The cat was jumping high. – Verb
  • Who made that jumping rope? – Adjective
  • Jumping is hard for me. – Noun
  • Leaves are falling everywhere. – Verb
  • Be careful near falling rocks. – Adjective
  • Falling is sometimes painful. – Noun
  • I watched her drawing yesterday. – Verb
  • Bring me the drawing book. – Adjective
  • Drawing relaxes my mind. – Noun
  • Soon, you will be watching the movie. – Verb
  • The watching crowd cheered every goal. – Adjective
  • Many people enjoy watching birds. – Noun
  • He had been listening all night. – Verb
  • We have a listening device here. – Adjective
  • Are you good at listening? – Noun
  • You should try fixing the bike later. – Noun
  • She knows a lot about fixing. – Noun
  • They will start teaching next week. – Noun
  • I like her teaching methods. – Adjective
  • No one mentioned teaching before. – Noun
  • We could be traveling tomorrow. – Verb
  • She talked to a traveling merchant. – Adjective
  • Kids dream about traveling sometimes. – Noun