Initial –ING verbs
It's been a while since I last added to my Pull Up A Chair
blog series. I thought I'd talk about starting sentences with an ING verbs. If
you're a writer, and have critique partners, no doubt you'd be familiar with
the policing that goes on when it comes to the way we write/construct our
sentences. As such, you probably have the red pen pulled out to highlight every
time a sentence begins with an ING verb. Some readers find it annoying
when authors begin a sentence with an ING verb. Me--I don't care, so long as
it's used correctly and you're telling me a good story.
The occasional ING at the beginning of a sentence is
perfectly okay. Just think, if we all constructed sentences the same way,
how would we ever differentiate between authors' voices--or even cultivate our
own unique voice?! I really don't think there's a problem with starting a
sentence with ING verbs, providing they aren't overused!
However, they're often misused.
Since I mentioned using the ING incorrectly, I must now
point out how to use it correctly. The trick is to only ever start a sentence
with an initial ING verb if the action you are describing
matches the action which follows. Your character has to be able to do both the
ING verb and the verb that follows at the same time.
For instance, perhaps your character is making a cup
of tea. You can say: pouring the milk, she stirred the tea. These
two actions can be done simultaneously.
However, you can't say: Opening the milk carton, she
stirred the tea. This would be incorrect since one cannot open a carton
and stir tea at the same time--not unless you have more than the
two hands most people are born with. ツ
If you ever wondered about the ins and outs of the ING verb,
now you know. And if you've never considered this subject, I hope I've shed a
bit of light on it.
Thanks for stopping by. I enjoyed your company.
Until next time God bless.
