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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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