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.