"There being", or "there was" ?
1. I remember there being a small creek in my hometown in my childhood.
2. I remember there was a small creek in my hometown in my childhood.

which one is more formal? or more suitable to use in spoken English?
Is V+ing a little formal and less commonly used in daily English?
For example, how about this sentence?
His English has improved a lot due to his constantly practicing?

Question

"There being", or "there was" ?
1. I remember there being a small creek in my hometown in my childhood.
2. I remember there was a small creek in my hometown in my childhood.

which one is more formal? or more suitable to use in spoken English?
Is V+ing a little formal and less commonly used in daily English?
For example, how about this sentence?
His English has improved a lot due to his constantly practicing?

Answer

1. This sentence could suggest some uncertainty from the speaker.
2. This sentence suggests more certainty from the speaker.

Better example sentence forms:
His English has improved a lot due to his constant practice.
His English has improved a lot because he has been constantly practicing.

"Practice" is a noun so it is better to use the adjective, "constant."
"Practicing" is a verb so it is better to use the adverb, "constantly."
My second example sentence includes "he has been" because the "constantly practicing" occurred in the past to improve his English.