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.

"Present Participles" in the English Grammar

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 → Sleeping

Wait → Waiting

Now pay attention to their use in sentences:

They were sleeping when I got there.

He was waiting for more than an hour.

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 → Stopping

Run → Running

  • If the verb ends in consonant + unstressed vowel + consonant, (the base verb is not stressed) do not double the final letter.

Open → Opening

  • If the verb ends in '-ie', replace the 'ie' with 'y'.

Lie → Lying

Die → Dying

  • If the verb ends in vowel + consonant + '-e', omit the '-e.'

Come → Coming

Mistake → Mistaking

Present Participle: Uses

using the present participle to make a participle clause

Present participles can serve various functions, including the following:

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 studying English grammar.
Past Continuous I was working when it all happened.
Present Perfect Continuous I'm tired because I've been running.
Past Perfect Continuous Kaz was exhausted. He had been running.
Future Continuous I'll be waiting for you.
Future Perfect Continuous I will have been waiting for two hours.

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 → Interesting

To tire → Tiring

Pay attention to their use in sentences:

I was trying to make things interesting.

He tries his best but his tiring job won't give him a break.

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) walking back from work.

He walked out (as he was) whistling to himself.

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 carrying the heavy box struggled to keep his balance.

present participle clause used as an adjective

Hoping to win the game, the team practiced every day.

present participle clause used as an adverb

Traveling to new places is my favorite hobby.

present participle clause used as subject

She enjoys painting landscapes during her free time.

present participle clause used as object of verb

His main hobby is collecting rare stamps.

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.

Considering his qualifications, he is the best candidate for the job.

Following the meeting, we went out for lunch.

Review

The present participle is actually a bare infinitive followed by 'ing.' This form of the verb can be used for:

  1. Making continuous tenses
  2. Making -ing adjectives
  3. Making participle clauses
  4. Making participle phrases

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