Page 84 - New Grammar with a Smile 8

Participles

A participle is a word formed from a verb which can be used as an adjective.

There are two types of participles—present participle (ending in ing) and the past
participle (usually ending in ed, d, t, en or n). Let us study more about them.

♦ The Present Participle

Form
The present participle is the ing form of Note
the verb, which is used in the formation of all The perfect participle is a combination
continuous and perfect continuous tenses. It of the present participle (having) and
can also be used as an adjective. For example, the past participle. For example,

• Barking dogs seldom bite. (adjective) • Having scanned the question paper,
• The dog was barking. (present continuous) Anita answered the questions.

Function

1. The present participle is used to form the continuous tense forms. For example,

• Karan is participating in a debate competition.
• They are playing hockey.
• We have been waiting for him for two hours.

2. The present participle can be used as an adjective.
For example,
• This is an interesting book.
• I do not like screaming babies.
• The company is doing a booming business.

3. The present participle can be used as the subject or object complement of a verb.
For example,
• This chapter is interesting. (subject complement to the verb is)
• I can almost hear you laughing. (object complement to the verb hear)

4. The present participle is used in participial Note
phrases to show a succession of events.
For example, A participial phrase consists of a
participle, modifiers and complements.
• Removing his coat, Mithun jumped When a sentence begins with a
into the river. participial phrase, a comma should be
placed after the phrase.

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