LoginPresent Participles
In this lesson we learn about present participles, which are essential verb forms ending in -ing that function as adjectives or form part of continuous verb tenses. Clear explanations and practice exercises to help you learn.
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
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 |
|---|---|
You are studying English grammar. | |
I was working when it all happened. | |
I'm tired because I've been running. | |
Kaz was exhausted. He had been running. | |
I'll be waiting for you. | |
I will have been waiting for two hours. |
3. Present Participles in Participle Clauses
Participle clauses are dependent clauses that use the present participle form of a verb to show that two actions happened simultaneously, or that one action is the result or reason of another. Take a look at some examples:
I lost my phone while walking back from work.
He walked out 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
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.
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:
Making continuous tenses
Making -ing adjectives
Making participle clauses
Making participle phrases
Quiz:
Which of the following is the correct rule for forming the present participle of verbs?
verb ending in a consonant + stressed vowel + consonant → double the final letter
verb ending in a consonant + unstressed vowel + consonant → double the final letter
verb ending in a vowel + consonant + '-e' → add an extra 'e' at the end
verb ending in '-ie', → add 'y' at the end without any other change
Fill in the blank with the correct present participle form of the verbs in parentheses.
The
(shine) sun made it a perfect day for a picnic.
The dog kept
(bark) at the door until someone let it in.
The children were
(run) around the playground all afternoon.
She enjoys
(lie) on the beach during her vacations.
They are
(come) to the party later tonight.
He was
(stop) traffic to let the ambulance pass.
Which sentence correctly uses the present participle as an adjective?
The bored child was crying during the ceremony.
The running water created a calming sound.
She was singing her favorite song all afternoon.
Assuming the worst, he started to panic.
Which sentence correctly uses a present participle in a continuous tense?
She enjoys painting landscapes.
The children were laughing at the joke.
She has a calming voice that soothes everyone.
Including all participants, the event was a success.
Match the sentences to the correct description of the present participle usage.
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