Grammar 15 - Present and Past Participles

We have learnt that main verbs come in two kinds: finite verbs and non-finite verbs. While finite verbs change their forms according to the number, person and tense, non-finite verbs do not change their forms. The infinitives, gerunds and participles are non-finites and are also called verbals as they are derived from verbs.

We have learnt that an infinitive is a verbal consisting of TO and a verb, for example - TO PLAY. We have also leant that a gerund is a verbal consisting of a verb and the suffix ING (for example - CRYING) and that a gerund functions as a noun. But what about participles?

The participle is a verbal that is formed from a verb by adding one of the following suffixes: ‘ING’, ‘NE’, ‘ED’, ‘EN’, ‘N’, ‘T’ or ‘D’. The participle functions as an adjective and can take the form of a present participle or a past participle. The present participle always ends in ‘ING’. For instance, CRYING, FALLING and BARKING are present participles. The past participle can end in ‘NE’, ‘ED’, ‘EN’, ‘N’, ‘T’ or ‘D’ depending upon the verb. For instance, GONE, TIRED, SHAKEN, SEEN, DEALT and SAVED are past participles.