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?
If you have not heard of this name before you probably used it many times and did not even notice it. The present participle is part of the four 'principal parts of verbs.'
How Do We Form a Present Participle?
To create a present participle we need to pay attention to the type of our verb. We are already familiar with the concept of regular and irregular verbs. Present participles are completely regular. Simply add '-ing' to the base of the main verb.
Sleep →
Wait →
Now that you know how they are created, look at the following examples to see them in action.
They were
He was
Spelling Rules
You know how to create and use present participle in a sentence but do you know the rules and regulations to spell it? Because sometimes simply adding -ing is not enough. Here we will discuss the rules:
- If the verb ends in consonant + stressed vowel + consonant, double the last letter.
Stop →
Run →
- If the verb ends in consonant + unstressed vowel + consonant, (the base verb is not stressed) do not double the last letter.
Open →
- If the verb ends in 'ie,' change the 'ie' to 'y.'
Lie →
Die →
- If the verb ends in vowel + consonant + 'e,' omit the 'e.'
Come →
Mistake →
Present Participle: Uses
using the present participle to make a participle clause
There are several cases in which we use present participles which are as followed:
- To make continuous tenses
- As an adjective
- In Participle phrases
- In Participle clauses
1. Present Participles in Continuous Tenses
Look at the table below, you can see all the continuous tenses that are used with present participles. In these tenses, we try describe ongoing actions and events. These actions and event may be in the present, past, or the 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
We know adjectives in general but the fun fact about present participles is that they can become adjectives. Now, as adjectives, they can describe nouns.
To interest →
To tire →
Let us see them in action:
I was trying to make things
He tries his best but his
3. Present Participles in Participle Phrases
Before we talk about how present participle as a participle phrase works, let us discuss 'participle phrases.' Basically these phrases have a participle at the beginning and are followed by a modifier, an object, or a complement. The entire phrase tends to act as an adjective. This way, they can modify nouns or pronouns. What present participle phrase does is to describe a situation that is occurring at the same time as the main action. Pay attention that the tense of the rest of the sentence does not matter.
4. Present Participles in Participle Clauses
The first question that rises to the surface when we see the name 'participle clauses' is 'what is it anyway? Participle clauses are independent clauses which use a participle form of a verb. Mainly, they are used to shorten the main clause. Participle clauses tend to show time, reasons, and situations.
I lost my phone (while)
He walked out (as he was)
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
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