The progressive-tense -ing words should always be used for repetitive actions. Usually, the simple past tense is better.
John was buttoning his shirt.
How long does it take to button a shirt? Instead of bogging readers down with on ongoing action, let them move rapidly forward.
John buttoned his shirt.
When focus is on a continuing condition, not a direct action, we need the -ing form. Suppose we want readers to picture a person seated at the table.
Susan was sitting on the other side of the table.
But what if she is coming from another room and takes a seat?
Susan sat on the other side of the table.
You may have heard that active voice is better than passive. This is saying that readers prefer moving forward with “The car spun its wheels” rather than “The car was spinning its wheels.” When both are correct, the simple past tense is preferred.
Professional writers often make the bad mistake of using an introductory participial phrase when it should be a preceding action.
Wrong: Turning the corner, Patricia walked down the street.
Introductory participial phrases state an ongoing condition for the main action of the sentence, but Patricia can’t walk down the street while she’s turning the corner. What can we do to fix that problem? Either use a prepositional phrase or describe sequential actions.
Correct: After turning the corner, Patricia walked down the street.
Correct: Patricia turned the corner and walked down the street.
For a bit of humor, click the button below to read Frank Ball’s true story about -ing words.
