Understanding Participles | Yuno Learning
A participle is constructed from a verb. It modifies a noun, noun phrase, verb, or verb phrase. When it modifies a noun it works as an adjective. Present or past participles usually end with –ing or –ed/en, except in the case of certain irregular verbs.
Present participle
A present participle is formed when –ing is added to the infinitive form of the verb.
Verb: to break
Participle: breaking
Sentence: This is breaking news.
What kind of news --- breaking news. ‘Breaking’ is used as an adjective.
Present participle can also be used as a phrase:
The man driving the car is my friend.
Present participle also shows verb tenses.
I am running (present continuous)
I was running (past continuous)
Past Participle
A past participle is formed when –ed/en is added to the infinitive form of the verb except for the certain case of irregular verbs.
Infinitive (irregular) form: to break
Past tense: broke
Past participle: broken
Sentence: I tried to fix a broken window.
What kind of window --- broken window. ‘Broken’ is used as an adjective.
Past participle can also be a phrase:
She bought a doughnut filled with cream.
Past participle also shows verb tenses.
I have broken a cup (present perfect)
I had broken a cup (past perfect)
Past participle can also be used to show passive voice:
The cake was eaten before I reached the party.
Perfect participles
This is an interesting concept
Present participle + Past participle = perfect participle
Having + said = Having said
Having said that it does not mean that I am averse to investing in the stock market.
Participle v/s gerund
Sometimes there can be confusion between a participle and gerund since both ends with –ing. But the primary difference between the two is that gerund ALWAYS acts as a noun while a participle does not do so.
Verb: to swim
Present participle: swimming---This swimming pool is clean. (adjective)
Gerund: swimming---Swimming keeps me fit. (Noun)
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