American English

How to pronounce constructing

verb · nounB2Common word
knSTRUHKtihng

/kʰn̩ˈstɹək.tɪŋ/

3 syllables · Stress the second syllable.

Form of construct

The same -ing form can name an activity or describe an ongoing action.

It describes an ongoing activity of building something by putting its parts together, often according to a plan.

Practice out loud

Meanings & examples

present participle

It describes an ongoing activity of building something by putting its parts together, often according to a plan.

The workers are constructing a new building.

The team is constructing a bridge over the river.

gerund

It means the activity of building something by putting its parts together, often according to a plan.

Constructing a bridge requires careful planning.

Constructing model airplanes is her favorite hobby.

present participle

It describes an ongoing activity of creating an idea, argument, sentence, or model by putting its parts together.

She is constructing a strong argument from the evidence.

Students are constructing clear sentences.

gerund

It means the activity of creating an idea, argument, sentence, or model by putting its parts together.

Constructing a clear argument takes time.

Constructing a model from the data was difficult.

Useful expressions

social construct

an idea or category shaped by society rather than fixed by nature

Gender is often discussed as a social construct.

Related words & forms