The present participle of most verbs has the form base+ing. 

It is used in many different ways.

The present participle as part of the continuous form of a verb

I am watching a movie.

He was driving around the house. 

They will be staying with us at our summer house.

The present participle after verbs of movement & position

We went shopping and had dinner at my favourite restaurant.

The present participle after verbs of perception

The pattern for this usage is verb + object + present participle. There is a difference in meaning when such a sentence contains a zero infinitive rather than a participle. The infinitive refers to a complete action while the present participle refers to an ongoing action.

They heard someone singing.

He saw his friend walking away.

The present participle as an adjective

It was an amazing dress, I liked the black one.

The present participle with the verbs spend and waste

The pattern with these verbs is verb + time/money expression + present participle.

My husband spends two hours a day travelling to Rome.

Don't waste time playing all day!

They've spent the whole day shopping and mom was angry because they’ve spent a lot of money.

The present participle with the verbs catch and find

The pattern with these verbs is verb + object + present participle. With catch, the participle always refers to an action which causes annoyance or anger. This is not the case with find, which is unemotional.

If I catch you taking my books, you’ll be in trouble!

Don't let her catch you wearing her clothes.

I found some money lying on the ground.

She found me sitting on the bench, in front of house.

The present participle for two actions at the same time

When two actions occur at the same time, and are done by the same person or thing, we can use a present participle to describe one of them. When one action follows very quickly after another done by the same person or thing, we can express the first action with a present participle.

Putting off the lights, she left the room. 

The present participle to explain a reason

The present participle can be used instead of a phrase starting with as, since, or because. In this usage the participial phrase explains the cause or reason for an action.

Feeling hungry, he wanted a burger and fries but I wanted a home cooked meal.