Participles- Definition, Uses and Examples

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Updated: Feb 17, 2025

Lesson

Verbs convey action, but they can do more than simply describe what someone or something does. They can also add descriptive detail, enriching sentences with imagery and sensory information. This is where participles come in. Participles can help enhance writing with precise and engaging descriptions.

What Is a Participle?

A participle is a verb form that can function as an adjective. It modifies a noun or pronoun by providing descriptive detail. This dual nature allows participles to enrich sentences with vivid imagery and sensory information.

Example:

"The howling wind rattled the windows."

In this sentence, "howling" is a participle derived from the verb "howl." It describes the wind, acting as an adjective.

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Participles And Participial Phrases Quiz Questions And Answers

Forms of Participles

Participles appear in two main forms: present and past participles.

1. Present Participles

Present participles always end in "-ing." They often convey a sense of ongoing action or a current state.

Example 1: Adding 'ing' to verbs: walk + ing = walking ("The walking man crossed the street.")
Example 2: Removing 'e' and Adding 'ing': write + ing = writing ("She is writing a letter.")
Example 3: Removing 'ie' and Adding 'y' + 'ing': die + y + ing = dying ("The dying embers glowed softly.")
Example 4: Doubling the Last Consonant and Adding 'ing': run + ning = running ("The running water was cold.")
Example 5: Retaining the 'e' and Adding 'ing': see + ing = seeing ("Seeing is believing.")
Example 6: Doubling the Last Consonant of the Second Syllable (Stressed) in Disyllabic Words: begin + ning = beginning ("They are beginning a new project.")

2. Past Participles

Past participles typically end in "-ed," "-d," "-en," "-t," or "-n." They often convey a sense of completion or a passive state.

Example 1: Adding 'ed' to the End of the Verb: walk + ed = walked ("The dog walked beside its owner.")
Example 2: Adding 'd' to the End of the Verb: love + d = loved ("The loved one received a gift.")
Example 3: Adding 'ied' to Verbs Ending in 'fy', 'ry' and 'ly': clarify + ied = clarified ("He clarified his statement.")
Example 4: Adding 'n' to Monosyllabic Words Ending in 'ow': know + n = known ("She is a known author.")
Example 5: Changing 'i' to 'u' for Monosyllabic Words: bite + bitten = bitten ("He was bitten by a mosquito.")
Example 6: Doubling the Last Consonant and Adding 'ed': stop + ped = stopped ("The car stopped suddenly.")
Example 7: Irregular Verbs: These verbs have unique past participle forms that don't follow the usual patterns like go (went, gone), eat (ate, eaten), break (broke, broken).

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Participle

How to Use Participle in a Sentence

Participles bring dynamism and detail to sentences. Here's how to wield their power effectively:

1. As Simple Adjectives:

Place the participle directly before the noun it modifies.

Example: "The broken vase lay on the floor." (Past participle "broken" describes the vase.)
Example: "The smiling child waved at her mother." (Present participle "smiling" describes the child.)

2. In Participial Phrases:

A participial phrase starts with a participle and includes any modifiers and objects related to it. This phrase acts as an adjective unit.

Example: "Walking along the beach, she found a beautiful seashell." (The phrase describes "she.")
Example: "The book, written by a famous author, was a bestseller." (The phrase describes "the book.")

Placement Matters:

Place the phrase close to the noun it modifies to avoid confusion.

Incorrect: "Walking along the beach, the waves crashed against the shore." (This suggests the waves are walking!)
Correct: "Walking along the beach, she watched the waves crash against the shore."

3. After a Linking Verb:

Participles can appear after linking verbs (like "is," "seems," "appears") to describe the subject.

Example: "The audience was captivated by the performance."
Example: "He seemed lost in thought."

4. To Create Variety and Conciseness:

Participles can replace relative clauses (clauses starting with "who," "which," "that") for a more concise style.

Example: "The girl who was wearing a red dress waved at me. Becomes: "The girl wearing a red dress waved at me."

5. With Pronouns:

Participles can modify pronouns, adding descriptive detail.

Example: "Exhausted, they collapsed onto the sofa." (Participle "exhausted" modifies the pronoun "they.")
Example: "Shivering, she pulled her coat tighter." (Participle "shivering" modifies the pronoun "she.")

6. Absolute Phrases:

These phrases combine a noun or pronoun with a participle and any modifiers. They modify the entire sentence, adding information or context.

Example: "Their hearts pounding with excitement, the children waited for the show to begin."
Example: "With the sun shining brightly, we set off on our hike."

7. In Compound Adjectives:

Participles can form part of a compound adjective (two or more words joined by a hyphen that act as a single adjective).