Participle

/ˈpɑːr.tɪ.sɪ.pəl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A form of a verb that can function as an adjective or can be used to form verb tenses.

The 'broken' vase lay on the ground.

A verbal that conveys a completed action, often used in conjunction with auxiliary verbs to indicate different tenses.

Having finished her homework, she went out to play.

The present participle is formed by adding -ing to the base form of the verb.

The children were playing in the park.

The past participle often indicates a completed action and is usually formed with -ed for regular verbs.

He has eaten all the cookies.

In some grammatical analyses, a participle can also refer to a word that functions similarly in modifying nouns.

The running water is cold.

Middle English, from Old French 'participiel', from Latin 'participialis', from 'participare' meaning to share or partake.

present participle

The form of a verb that typically ends in -ing and denotes an ongoing action.

past participle

The form of a verb, often ending in -ed, used to indicate completed action.

participle clause

A dependent clause that contains a participle.

gerund

A verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun.

auxiliary verb

A verb used in forming tenses, moods, and voices of other verbs.

verb

A word that describes an action or state.