Present Participle in English

Present Participle in English

Meaning of Participles

Participle means a word that is derived from verb and it has characteristics of adjective and verb.

Definition of Participles

Participle is defined as a verbal that is derived from root form of the verb and can be used as an adjective as well as to construct verb tense. In other words, we can define participle as ‘ing’ or ‘ed’ form of the verb functioning as an adjective or a verb.

There are two types of participles: present participle and past participle. Some sources also include third type as perfect participle. Present participle in English is discussed in this article. You can study Past Participles in our site Study English Page.

Present Participle in English

Present participle is a form of verb that ends in ‘ing’ and functions as an adjective or to form verb tense. In simple words, we can say ‘ing’ form of the verb that is used as an adjective and in continuous tenses.

A crying baby gave me a ten rupees note.
I am cleaning the kitchen.

Present Participle Used as an Adjective

As we know that adjective modifies noun in a sentence. Similarly, present participle can be used to modify noun in a sentence. In simple words, ‘ing’ form of the verb that performs the function of an adjective.

She looked deeply at the magnifying glass.
We have arranged party for the shining stars of our school.

Present Participle Used to Form Verb Tense

To form any continuous tenses, we use ‘ing’ from of the verb. That ‘ing’ form is called present participle. To form verb tense is the function of present participle.

They are cultivating wheat.
We were discussing about him when he entered.
They will be doing their homework tomorrow at 12 O’clock.
I have been teaching for 7 years.
She had been waiting for thirty minutes when I met her.
I will have been studying for hours by the time you come.

Present Participle in Participle Phrases

Participle phrase is a phrase that has participle and works just like an adjective. It modifies noun or equivalent in a sentence.

Diya is next to the lady wearing the glasses with red frame.
Putting his coat, he left his house.

After Verbs of movements and Positions

We can use present participle after the verbs of movements and positions. Remember that go + ‘ing’ from is a dispute point. According to Azar (English Grammarian) when ‘ing’ form of the verb comes after the word ‘go’, it is a gerund. Some websites say that it is considered present participle.

He came running towards me.
We go walking every night.

With the Words Spend, Waste, Catch, and Find

We can also use present participles with these words: spend, waste, catch, and find.

I spend 3 hours a day writing articles.
I wasted money buying more things.
I caught him reading my letter.
I found her sitting in our garden.

To Explain a Reason

We use participle phrase to explain cause of an action. In this case, we use present participle instead of a phrase beginning with since, as, or because.

Feeling hungry, I went to the kitchen and ate something.
Knowing that his father was coming, I stopped talking.

After Verbs of Sense

When we have verbs of sense, we can use present participles.

I saw him catching the ball.
I hear someone calling Ali.

Identification of Present Participle

How to identify present participle in a sentence? Is any verb that ends in ‘ing’ called present participle? Answer is No. You have to focus on the function. If the function of ‘ing’ form of the verb in a sentence is just like an adjective, you can call it present participle. Similarly, if it shows action in a sentence, it is also called present participle.

Running is better for physical fitness, so I always run for 30 minutes.
I have bought a pair of running shoes because I always run for 30 minutes.

We have the word ‘running’ which is ‘ing’ form of the verb in the above examples. Function of the word ‘running’ in the first example is as a noun. Function of the same word in the second example is as an adjective. It modifies the noun ‘shoes’. According to the definition of present participle, the word ‘running’ in the second example is present participle.

John is watching TV.

The word ‘watching’ is derived from the word watch and is used in forming verb tense. Here, it is present participle or present participle form of the verb.

Formation of Present Participle

Present participle form of the verb is formed just by adding the suffix ‘-ing’ to the verb. When you add the suffix ‘-ing’ to the verb, it will become present participle. Some spelling changes take place while adding the suffix ‘-ing’ to the verb. To learn more about that you can study spelling rules for adding ‘ing’ to the verb in Study English Page.

Cry ------crying
Steal ----stealing
Stop ---- stopping
Die ------dying
Fix ------fixing

Other Key Points Related to Participles

Difference between Gerund and Present Participle

Generally, gerund and present participle are the same things. Both of them end with ‘-ing’. Gerund is used as a noun and present participle is used as an adjective and to form verb tense.

Jogging is better for physical fitness. (Gerund)
I bought jogging shoes yesterday. (Present Participle)

Perfect Participle

The term perfect participle is not a third type of participle. It is phrase formed by combining the word ‘having’ with a past participle. They are used to show that one action happened earlier than another.

Having studied for five hours, Ali went out to play.
Having finished homework, I watched a movie.

Dangling Participle

When the word being modified is not present in a sentence or located somewhere far, we call such participle a dangling participle. It creates confusion about the word being modified.

Coming out of the shop, purse fell on the pavement. (Dangling Participle)
Coming out of the shop, I dropped the purse on the pavement. (Correct)

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