There is considerable confusion regarding the English suffix ing which is usually treated as
progressive. The sentence I regret telling him shows however that this is not always the
case. The very same form can sometimes evoke an ongoing process and sometimes a completed
action. This book brings much-needed clarity to this area of English grammar proposing a
simple coherent explanation based on meaning. ESL teachers will find it a valuable contribution
to the focus on form approach. It will also be of interest to linguists as it addresses the
problems of tense and control that have been the object of considerable debate.
