Doubling Letters Before Adding -ing
Learn when to double the last letter before adding -ing, so run becomes running and hop becomes hopping. A fun spelling lesson for ages 6-8 with games.
Key takeaways
- Short, one-vowel words often double the last letter before -ing
- run becomes running and hop becomes hopping
- Listen for one short vowel and one ending consonant
Adding -ing to action words
We add -ing to show something is happening right now. I run. → I am running. But some short words need a little trick first: we double the last letter.
The doubling rule
Double the last letter when a word has:
- One short vowel sound, and
- One consonant at the end.
When both are true, double that last letter, then add -ing.
- run → running 🏃
- hop → hopping 🐰
- sit → sitting 🪑
- swim → swimming 🏊
- stop → stopping 🛑
Why we double
Doubling keeps the vowel short. Look at the difference:
- hop → hopping (jumping) 🐰
- hope → hoping (wishing) 🌟
That extra letter tells your eyes to say a short sound. Clever!
Words that do NOT double
If a word ends in two consonants, or has a long vowel, do not double.
- jump → jumping (two letters at the end: m and p) 🤸
- read → reading (two vowels: e and a) 📖
- play → playing ⚽
- rain → raining 🌧️
Just add -ing with no doubling.
Listen and decide
Say the word slowly. Is there one short vowel and one ending letter? Then double!
| Word | One short vowel? | Double? | -ing form |
|---|---|---|---|
| run | yes | yes | running |
| hop | yes | yes | hopping |
| jump | no (ends m + p) | no | jumping |
| read | no (long e) | no | reading |
Practise out loud
Try these and clap as you add the ending:
- pat → patting 👋
- sit → sitting 🪑
- win → winning 🏆
- big... wait, that is not an action word!
Wonderful work!
Now you know when to double before -ing. Look for these words in your books. Can you spot a doubled letter today?
Next, try Dropping the e Before Suffixes and Prefixes and Suffixes.
Quick quiz
Test yourself and earn XP
What is 'run' plus -ing?
Run is a short word, so we double the n: running.
Which word doubles its last letter before -ing?
Hop has one short vowel and one ending letter, so it becomes hopping.
What is 'sit' plus -ing?
Double the t: sitting.
Play & learn
Build the -ing word +10 XP
Completed ✓ +10 XP
Match the word to its -ing form +10 XP
Completed ✓ +10 XP
FAQ
Doubling keeps the vowel short. Without it, hoping and hopping would look the same!
No. Only short words with one vowel and one ending consonant double, like run and hop.
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