Participle
/ˈpɑːrtɪsɪpl/
nounB2
Definition
A participle is a special form of a verb. It can describe a noun like an adjective (a word that tells more about a noun), or it can be part of verb phrases to show time or action. In English, the two most common participles are the present participle (ending in "-ing") and the past participle (usually ending in "-ed" or other forms).
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See It in Action
Verb form used as an adjective
- •The crying baby needs attention.
- •She wore a broken necklace.
- •The shining stars lit the sky.
Verb form used with auxiliary verbs to form verb tenses
- •I am running to the store.
- •They have finished their homework.
- •The cake was baked yesterday.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "participle" like "verb + adjective" because it acts like both a verb and an adjective at the same time.
- ✓Picture the word "running" in "the running water"—here, "running" describes the water like an adjective.
- ✓It's the feeling when you see a word doing two jobs—telling action and describing something.
- ✓Sounds like "PART-ih-sip-uhl" → imagine a "part" of a verb that "participates" in other parts of a sentence.
- ✓Remember phrases like "broken window" or "laughing child" where the verbs "break" and "laugh" change to describe something.
- ✓NOT like a normal verb that only shows action by itself—participle can describe or help other verbs.
- ✓NOT like an adjective that never shows action—participle is from a verb and shows action or state.
- ✓NOT like a noun that names something—participle is about action or description.
- ✓NOT like a full verb phrase alone—it needs other words sometimes to show tense or meaning.
Try Other Words
- •Verb form: a general form of a verb (Use when speaking about any verb shape, not specifically participles)
- •Adjective form: when the verb acts like an adjective (Use when focus is on description)
- •Verbal: a word made from a verb but used differently (Use in grammar study when discussing verb-related forms)
- •Gerund: a verb form ending in "-ing" used as a noun (Use when the verb acts as a thing, not an adjective or helper)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "partici-" (from Latin "participare" meaning "to share or take part") + "-ple" (a noun ending)
- •Etymology: From Latin "participium," meaning a part taken or shared, referring to a verb form that shares qualities of verbs and adjectives
- •Historical development: Used in English grammar since the 14th century to describe verb forms that act like adjectives or parts of verb phrases
- •Modern usage: Commonly taught in grammar to explain verb forms that describe nouns or form tenses like perfect or continuous aspects
Reflect & Connect
•How does knowing about participles help you understand English verb tenses better?
•Can you think of sentences where a participle changes the meaning or feeling of the sentence?
Fill in the blanks
1.The ___ participle often ends with "-ing" and shows ongoing action.
2.We use the past participle with "have" or "has" to ___ completed actions.
3.In the phrase "the ___ dog," the participle describes the dog by showing what it is doing or has done.
4.A participle can act like an adjective, so it often comes ___ the noun it describes.
5.The sentence "She is ___ her homework" uses a participle to show ___ action.
6.Unlike a simple verb, a participle cannot stand alone as the ___ of a sentence.
7.When you see a word ending in "-ed" or "-en" describing a noun, it is usually a ___ participle.