What Are Participles?
What Are Participles?
A participle is a word formed from a verb which can be used as an adjective.The two types of participles are the present participle (ending ing) and the past participle (usually ending -ed, -d, -t, -en, or -n).
Here are some participles being used as adjectives:
The Verb | The Past Participle | The Present Participle |
---|---|---|
To rise | the risen sun | the rising sun |
To boil | the boiled water | the boiling water |
To break | the broken news | the breaking news |
To cook | the cooked ham | the cooking ham |
Participle Phrases
It is really common to see participles in participle phrases. A participle phrase also acts like an adjective. In the examples below, the participle phrases are shaded and the participles are in bold:- The man carrying the bricks is my father. (The participle phrase carrying the bricks describes the the man.)
- She showed us a plate of scones crammed with cream. (The participle phrase crammed with cream describes the scones.)
- Whistling the same tune as always, Ted touched the front of his cap with his forefinger as she dismounted. (The participle phrase Whistling the same tune as always describes Ted.)
- Stunned by the blow, Mike quickly gathered his senses and searched frantically for the pepper spray. (The participle phrase Stunned by the blow describes Mike.)
Present Participles
Present participles end in -ing. Examples:- boiling water
- caring nature
- deserving recipient
- A laughing man is stronger than a suffering man. (Gustave Flaubert, 1821-1880)
- If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man. (Mark Twain, 1835-1910)
- The only thing that comes to a sleeping man is dreams. (Tupac Shakur)
The 4 Past Tenses | Example |
---|---|
simple past tense | I went |
past progressive tense | I was going |
past perfect tense | I had gone |
past perfect progressive tense | I had been going |
The 4 Present Tenses | Example |
simple present tense | I go |
present progressive tense | I am going |
present perfect tense | I have gone |
present perfect progressive tense | I have been going |
The 4 Future Tenses | Example |
simple future tense | I will go |
future progressive tense | I will be going |
future perfect tense | I will have gone |
future perfect progressive tense | I will have been going |
Read more about present participles.
Past Participles
Past participles have various endings, usually -ed, -d, -t, -en, or -n. Examples:- broken window
- painted frame
- destroyed bridge
- A swollen eye is God's way of telling you to improve your interpersonal skills.
- Do not waste time staring at a closed door.
- I like children...if they're properly cooked. (W.C. Fields) (Remember, an adjective can also appear after the noun it is modifying. See predicate adjectives.)
The 4 Past Tenses | Example |
---|---|
simple past tense | I went |
past progressive tense | I was going |
past perfect tense | I had gone |
past perfect progressive tense | I had been going |
The 4 Present Tenses | Example |
simple present tense | I go |
present progressive tense | I am going |
present perfect tense | I have gone |
present perfect progressive tense | I have been going |
The 4 Future Tenses | Example |
simple future tense | I will go |
future progressive tense | I will be going |
future perfect tense | I will have gone |
future perfect progressive tense | I will have been going |
Read more about past participles.
Perfect Participles
Perfect participles are formed like this:"Having" + [past participle]
Examples:
- Having taken
- Having eaten
- Having played
- Having heard the news, he quickly sold his brother's record collection.
- Having been promised a steak dinner, she looked less than impressed with her Happy Meal.
Click on the participles:
Read about participle phrases.
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