Present Participles

for intermediate learners

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 Are Present Participles?

Present participles are verb forms that end in '-ing' and are used to describe ongoing or continuous actions. Present participles can also function as adjectives, modifying nouns or pronouns.

Present Participles: Form

In order to form present participles, we can simply add an '-ing' to the base form of the verb. Look at the following examples:

Close → closing

Laugh → laughing

Kill → killing

Now, let us look at some sentences:

I was looking for mom when you called me.

Look at how fast they are running.

Spelling Rules

When the verb ends in an '-e', remove the '-e' and add '-ing':

Make → making

Bake → baking

When the verb ends in '-ie', simply replace it with a '-y':

Lie → lying

Die → dying.

Present Participles: Uses

Present participles can serve different functions in a sentence. Look at the list below:

As an adjective
To make continuous tenses (present continuous, past continuous, etc.)
As participles

Now, let us examine some examples:

The revered thought that it is an interesting book. (As an adjective)

I was making some lunch for you. (Forming past continuous tense)

Sarah is watching a movie right now. (Forming present continuous tense)

I talked to him while eating dinner. (Participle clause)

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What Are Present Participles?
- Spelling Rules
Present Participles: Uses

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