-ing clauses
Definition
An -ing clause is a group of words organized around an -ing verb form. It does not carry its own tense, but it can act as the subject or complement of a sentence, or add information such as time, reason or manner.
Examples
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Swimming every morning keeps me fit.
The whole -ing clause is the subject of the sentence.
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I enjoy working with this team.
The -ing clause completes the meaning of enjoy.
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Walking home, we saw a fox.
The opening clause adds information about when the main event happened.
Full clause vs. -ing clause
While Priya was waiting for the bus, she checked her messages.
The clause has an expressed subject and a tense-marked verb.
Waiting for the bus, Priya checked her messages.
The shorter clause gets its subject and time reference from the main clause.
The -ing clause removes repeated information, but its understood subject must still be clear.
The understood subject still matters
An opening -ing clause normally refers to the subject of the main clause. A different subject can be stated inside the -ing clause when necessary.
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After finishing the report, Malik sent it to the client.
Malik is understood as the person who finished the report.
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Nora leaving early surprised everyone.
Nora is stated as the subject of the -ing clause.
Common mistakes
Driving to work, the rain started.
While I was driving to work, it started to rain.
The original sentence makes the rain the understood driver. State the real subject when the subjects do not match.
She suggested to take a taxi.
She suggested taking a taxi.
Suggest is followed by an -ing clause, not a to-infinitive.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence has a clear shared subject?
Elena is both the person walking and the person who found the wallet.Which sentence uses an -ing clause as its subject?
The complete clause Reading before bed functions as the subject of helps.Which sentence correctly shortens a time clause?
After a preposition such as after, the shortened clause uses the -ing form.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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