Present participle

Definition

The present participle is a verb form that ends in '-ing' and is used to indicate ongoing actions or states. It plays a crucial role in forming continuous tenses, allowing for the expression of actions in progress, and can also function as an adjective or in non-finite clauses. Its versatility connects it with infinitives and gerunds, highlighting how it complements the broader verb system.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The present participle is commonly used to create continuous tenses like the present continuous (e.g., 'I am running') and past continuous (e.g., 'I was running').
2. It can function as an adjective to describe nouns, as in 'the running water' or 'a barking dog.'
3. Present participles can also be part of participial phrases that provide additional information about the subject or object of a sentence.
4. In non-finite clauses, present participles act as the main verb without indicating tense, allowing them to be used alongside other verbs in a sentence.
5. The use of present participles in progressive aspect constructions highlights actions that are currently ongoing, providing a dynamic quality to the sentences.

Review Questions

• How does the present participle relate to continuous tenses and what role does it play in forming these tenses?
  • The present participle is essential for creating continuous tenses, such as the present continuous and past continuous. In these tenses, it combines with auxiliary verbs like 'am,' 'is,' 'are,' or 'was,' 'were' to indicate actions that are currently ongoing or were ongoing at some point in the past. For example, in 'I am studying,' 'studying' is the present participle that shows the action is happening right now.
• In what ways can the present participle function as an adjective within sentences, and what effect does this have on meaning?
  • As an adjective, the present participle modifies nouns to convey more descriptive meaning. For instance, in phrases like 'the crying baby' or 'the roaring lion,' the present participles 'crying' and 'roaring' provide vivid descriptions that help paint a clearer picture for the reader. This use enhances imagery and adds depth to writing by illustrating actions associated with the nouns.
• Evaluate the significance of present participles in non-finite clauses and their impact on sentence complexity and variety.
  • Present participles in non-finite clauses are significant because they allow for more complex sentence structures without tying the action to a specific tense. For example, in 'Running down the street, she tripped,' the phrase 'Running down the street' provides context but does not indicate when it occurred. This flexibility adds variety to writing by enabling writers to include additional information smoothly and succinctly, enhancing overall clarity and flow.

Related terms

gerund: A verb form ending in '-ing' that functions as a noun in a sentence.

infinitive: The base form of a verb, often preceded by 'to,' that can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

past participle:

A verb form typically ending in '-ed,' used to indicate completed actions or states, especially in perfect tenses.