(2) In most cases, -ing is merely a noun of action, i.e., a word expressing
an action:
to beat, a beating.
to brush, a brushing.
to institute, instituting.
Such nouns are rendered by the simple termination -o, which, when the root is a verb,
precisely means action:
bat-ar, bat-o.
bros-ar, bros-o.
instituc-ar, instituc-o.
If it is intended to convey an idea of particular duration, use the affix -ado:
To dance, dans-ar;
A dance, dans-o;
Dancing, dans-ado.
Young people are fond of dancing, La yuni prizas dansado.
Angling is a pleasant pastime,
(Angel-) peskado esas agreabla tempo-pasigivo.
Constant travelling is bad for the nerves,
La sempra voyajado nocas la nervi.
In the last two examples, the simple form pesko, voyajo, would mean catching a
fish (not catching fish), and a journey (not travelling).
(3) At the beginning of a sentence or clause, the word in -ing should be translated by
-ante, if it could be or is preceded by a preposition or conjunction like while, in,
on:
Replying to your letter (= in reply to your letter),
Respondante a vua letro.
On coming in, I saw her,
En-irante, me vidis el.
I spoke to him standing (= while standing),
Stacante, me parolis ad il.
Taking his hat, he went out,
Prenante lua chapelo, il ek-iris.
If the word in -ing is the auxiliary to have, then the past participle of the
second verb must be used:
Having spoken thus, he sat down,
Tale parolante, il sideskis.
Having been in the place, I know it,
Esinte en la loko, me konocas ol, or: Pro ke me esis ...
(4) After a preposition, the word in -ing is the equivalent of an infinitive, as
English prepositions, except to, govern the participle:
Before going away (= before to-go-away),
Ante departar.
After speaking (= after to-have-spoken),
Pos parolir.
Instead of writing (= instead of to-write),
Vice skribar.
After answering her letter.
Pos respondir ad elua letro.
Note.- While is a conjunction (during being the corresponding preposition):
While running, they fell down,
Dum ke li kuris (or, dum lia kuro), li falis.
(5) A large number of cases cannot be classified under any of the above heads, but a few examples
will suffice:
(a) Angry for being disturbed (= angry because one disturbed him),
Iracanta pro ke on trublis il.
(b) Particular ways of doing things (= to do things),
Specala manieri facar kozi.
(c) He was far from appreciating her good qualities (= he certainly did not value highly
her good qualities),
Il certe ne alte prizis elua bona qualesi.
or: He was far from an appreciation of her good qualities,
Il esis for prizar elua bona qualesi.
(d) He agreed with her in liking sweets (= he agreed with her in that thing, that they two
liked sweets),
Il akordis kun el en to, ke li du prizis sukraji,
or: Il akordis kun el en prizar sukraji.
(e) I can't help loving the child (= I cannot not love the child),
Me ne povas ne amar la infanto.
(f) They hindered him from running,
Li impedis, ke il kurez.
(g) She intended coming yesterday (= she intended to come),
El intencis venar hiere.
(h) Out of hearing (= not able-to-be-reached by a call),
Ne-atingebla per voko.
or: Exter voko (out of call),
or: Ja ne-vokebla (= already not callable),
(i) A boarding-house, gasteyo.
An eating-house, restorerio.
A dining-room, manjo-chambro.
A walking-stick, promen-bastono.
A sitting-room, saloneto.
A swimming-bath, nateyo.
A writing-table, skribo-tablo.
A drawing-pencil, desegno-krayono.
A camping outfit, acesori di kamp(ad)o.
(6) If the word in -ing is the subject of a verb, use either the infinitive or the noun
form:
Smoking is bad for the health,
Fumar esas mala por la saneso.
(7) If the word in -ing is preceded by to be, see Lesson VII, "Progressive
Form":
I am calling you, Me vokas vu.