That moment arrives for every crossword solver: you’re cruising through the grid, letters falling into place, then you hit a roadblock. A
crossword clue
stares back, seemingly straightforward, yet stubbornly refusing to yield its secrets. Often, the culprit isn’t some obscure trivia or a pun too clever by half, but rather a subtle grammatical nuance. Among the most frequent, and frequently puzzling, grammatical forms that pop up in
crossword puzzles
are those deceptively simple words ending in “-ing.” These aren’t always just present participles describing an ongoing action; sometimes, they’re gerunds, and understanding this distinction can be the key to unlocking a whole section of your grid.
A gerund is a verb form ending in “-ing” that functions grammatically as a noun. Think about that for a moment. It’s an action, but it’s treated as a
thing
or an
activity
. “Swimming is good exercise.” Here, “swimming” isn’t describing someone doing something; it
is
the subject of the sentence, a noun. This might seem like a minor point, but in the precision world of
crossword clues
, it makes all the difference. When you’re tackling a
daily crossword clue
, recognizing that an “-ing” word is expected to act as a noun can completely reframe your approach.
Consider how these pop up in your favorite
crossword puzzle
. A common
crossword clue
might describe an activity. If the clue implies an action that is itself the object of a verb, the subject of a sentence, or even the object of a preposition, you’re likely looking for a gerund. For instance, a clue describing “A method of transport on ice” isn’t looking for someone
doing
something, but the
activity itself
. The answer will inherently be a word that serves as a noun, representing the activity. This fundamental understanding is crucial for
solving crossword clues
effectively.
One of the challenges with gerunds is their close resemblance to present participles, which also end in “-ing.” “He is
running
quickly” uses “running” as a present participle, part of a verb phrase. “His favorite activity is
running
,” uses “running” as a gerund, acting as a noun. When you encounter a
tricky crossword clue
that seems to point to an “-ing” word, ask yourself: Is the clue describing an action in progress, or is it describing the action
as a concept
or
as a thing
? This subtle shift in perspective is invaluable for deciphering
crossword clues
that rely on this grammatical form.
The beauty of language, and indeed
crossword puzzles
, lies in these intricacies. A skillfully crafted
crossword clue
will often leverage these grammatical distinctions to guide, or sometimes misguide, the solver. For instance, if a clue refers to a “Pastime” or an “Amusement,” you can be fairly certain the expected “-ing” answer will be a gerund, naming the activity itself as a recreational pursuit. The clue isn’t asking what someone
is doing
, but rather what
the activity is
.
Mastering the identification of gerunds won’t just improve your
crossword clue
solving; it enhances your overall linguistic awareness. Keep an eye out for clues that function as nouns, clues that define activities, or clues that describe processes rather than ongoing actions. The “-ing” ending is a clear signal, but it’s the grammatical function – acting as a noun – that truly distinguishes a gerund answer in the grid. With this insight, those previously impenetrable
crossword clues
that end in a flourish of “-ing” will begin to make perfect sense, clearing the path to that satisfying “puzzle solved” feeling. Understanding gerund endings is a powerful tool in any dedicated solver’s arsenal, helping to streamline the process of
solving crossword clues
and completing that challenging grid.
Available Answers:
ING.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Monday’s Daily By Ajay Bhargava / Ed. Patti Varol