Present Participles
Present participles are one of the key features of English language. It is a form of verb that ends in '-ing.' In this lesson, we will learn more about them.
What Is a Present Participle?
The present participle is a verb form ending in "-ing" that is used in various grammatical structures. While it originates from verbs, it often functions as an adjective, part of a verb phrase or part of a present participle clause in a sentence.
Present Participle: From
Present participles are formed by adding '-ing' to the base form of the verb.
Take a look at some examples:
Sleep →
Wait →
Now pay attention to their use in sentences:
They were
He was
Spelling Rules
Sometimes, to form present participles, simply adding '-ing' is not enough and the verb will require other changes. Here we will discuss the rules:
- If the verb ends in consonant + stressed vowel + consonant, double the final letter.
Stop →
Run →
- If the verb ends in consonant + unstressed vowel + consonant, (the base verb is not stressed) do not double the final letter.
Open →
- If the verb ends in '-ie', replace the 'ie' with 'y'.
Lie →
Die →
- If the verb ends in vowel + consonant + '-e', omit the '-e.'
Come →
Mistake →
Present Participle: Uses
- making continuous tenses
- as adjectives
- forming participle clauses
- as prepositions
1. Present Participles in Continuous Tenses
In the table below you can see all the continuous tenses that are formed using present participles. These tenses are used to describe ongoing actions and events. These actions and events may be in the present, past, or future.
Tenses | Examples |
---|---|
Present Continuous |
You are |
Past Continuous |
I |
Present Perfect Continuous |
I'm tired because I |
Past Perfect Continuous |
Kaz was exhausted. He |
Future Continuous |
I |
Future Perfect Continuous |
I |
2. Present Participles as Adjectives
Present participles can serve as adjectives in sentences. As adjectives, they can describe nouns. Take a look at some examples:
To interest →
To tire →
Pay attention to their use in sentences:
I was trying to make things
He tries his best but his
3. Present Participles in Participle Clauses
Participle clauses are dependent clauses that use the participle form of a verb. Mainly, they are used to shorten the main clause. Participle clauses tend to indicate time, reasons, and situations. Take a look at some examples:
I lost my phone (while)
He walked out (as he was)
Present participle clauses can act as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs. As nouns, they can be subjects, objects of verbs or prepositions, as well as complements. Here are some examples:
The man
present participle clause used as an adjective
present participle clause used as an adverb
present participle clause used as subject
She enjoys
present participle clause used as object of verb
His main hobby is
present participle clause used as subject complement
4. Present Participles as Prepositions
The present participle form of some verbs can be used as prepositions; for example, assuming, regarding, considering, excluding, including, pending, barring, and following. Look at the examples below to see how they work in sentences.
Review
The present participle is actually a bare infinitive followed by 'ing.' This form of the verb can be used for:
- Making continuous tenses
- Making -ing adjectives
- Making participle clauses
- Making participle phrases