2. The verb + –ing used as an Adjective

The verb ending in –ing  can be used as an adjective to modify a noun.

As an adjective, the verb + ing comes before a noun.

Examples:

  • We are running short of  cooking   oil .
  • I have to get another  woodworking  tool.
Adjectives that end in –ing do one of these things.
(a) The –ing adjective tells us that something is still going on. Â

Examples:

  • What has become of my  missing  kitten?
  • Some countries are experiencing a  dwindling  population due to very low birth rates.
  • There are people who doubt the  disappearing  rain forest contributes to global warming.

(b) The –ing adjective shows how something can affect us.

Examples:

  • It was a very  tiring  day at the workplace.
  • It’s  amazing  that the university student is only 16.
  • That noise he’s making is getting  annoying .

The verb + ing adjective can come after the following:

Examples:

a helping verb

  • It  was  a  disturbing  dream I had last night.
  • It  is a  polling  day, today.

an adverb

  • The movie was  very disappointing .
  • What she said to him was  deliberately insulting .

a possessive 

  • We really appreciate  your helping  to milk the cows.
  • I can't understand  his behaving  in a strange manner whenever there is a full moon.
  • She has arranged for  our going  over for a game of mahjong.