Present and Past Participles: Definitions, Examples & Exercises

Present and Past Participles

Present Participle

A Present participle is the ~ing form of a verb that works as an adjective or helps form continuous tenses.

Examples:

The crying baby is hungry. (an adjective)

The baby is crying. (a continuous tense)

I saw a baby crying. (a complement of the verb used as an object)

Past Participle

A Past participle is the third form (V3) of a verb that works as an adjective or helps form perfect and passive voice tenses.

Examples:

1-I have broken a chair. (perfect tense)

Explanation:

Perfect Tense (action completed)

I have broken a chair.

Here, “broken” is part of the present perfect tense. It shows that the action of breaking the chair has already happened.

2-I have a broken chair. (an adjective) 

Explanation:

Adjective (describing a noun)

I have a broken chair.

Here, “broken” describes the chair. The participle acts as an adjective, telling us the state of the chair.

3- A chair was broken by the boy. (passive voice)

Explanation:
A chair was broken by the boy.

Here, the past participle “broken” is used to form the passive voice. The focus is on the chair, not the boy who broke it.

In Summary:

When the word “participle” is used alone, it generally means:

A verb form used as an adjective or to form verb tenses.

It is a general term that includes both types:

1. Present participle (V + ing)

2. Past participle (V3 form)

So “participle” = present participle OR past participle (the context decides which one).

Examples:

Present participle • a crying baby

• a shining star

• I saw a boy running.

Past participle • a broken chair

• a written letter

• the fallen leaves

Key point:

When grammar books say “participle”, they usually mean:

a verb form functioning as an adjective

Example:

• the working woman (present participle)

• the injured man (past participle)

Short definition of

Participle:

A form of verb that works as an adjective or helps form tenses.

Key Point:

Participle has two forms:

• Present participle → -ing (running, smiling)

• Past participle → V3 (broken, written, done)

Key Difference between Present and Past Participle

Examples:

Present participle:

interesting movie (movie gives interest)

Past participle:

interested student (student feels interest)

Present participle:

exciting news (news gives interest)

Past participle:

excited student (student feels excitement)

Common Errors:

1- The frightening cat has run away. ❌
The frightened cat has run away. ✔

2- I have a breaking bowl. ❌
I have a broken bowl. ✔

3- The book is writing by a famous writer. ❌
The book is written by a famous writer. ✔

4- The shining star looks nice.  ✔
The shone star looks nice.  ❌

5- The task was so exhausted. ❌
The task was so exhausting. ✔

 Exercise Questions

Choose the correct option:

1. She has ___ a book.
   A) read
   B) reads
   C) reading
   D) is read
2. The _____ car was stolen.
   A) park
   B) parked
   C) parking
   D) parks
3. I saw a ___ dog in the street.
   A) runs
   B) ran
   C) running
   D) run
4. I have ____ a plan.
   A) select
   B) selecting
   C) selected
   D) selects
5. The perposal has been ____ by the board.
   A) rejects
   B) rejecting
   C) rejected
   D) reject

Identification of Participles

Instructions: Read the following sentence to choose Present or Past Participle

1. The boy --Choose-- playing played outside is my younger brother.


2. The --Choose-- frightening frightened cat ran away.


3. --Choose-- Opening Open the box, she found a beautiful gift.


4. The --Choose-- damaged damaging bike is expensive.


5. The girl --Choose-- sitting sits near the window is my sister.


6. The girl --Choose-- wearing wore a blue dress is my friend.


7. The --Choose-- exciting excited students welcomed the teacher.


8. --Choose-- Laughed Laughing loudly, she entered the room.


9. We have got an --Choose-- exciting excited news.


10. --Choose-- Going Gone down the street, I saw a big snake.


11. --Choose-- Cooking Cooked food was served to the guests.


12. --Choose-- Walking Walked in the park, she found a lost child.


13. The --Choose-- breaking broken window needs repair.


14. The --Choose-- crying cried baby needs milk.


15. The --Choose-- painting painted wall looks beautiful.


16. The --Choose-- shined shining sun is very bright.


17. The --Choose-- injuring injured player was taken to hospital.


18. The --Choose-- falling fallen leaves cover the ground.


19. The --Choose-- written writing letter was very emotional.


20. The --Choose-- boiled boiling water is very hot.


21. The --Choose-- losing lost child was crying loudly.


22. --Choose-- Reading Read the book, I learned many new words.


23. --Choose-- Walked Walking in the park, she found a lost child.


24. --Choose-- Broken Breaking glass lay on the floor.


25. --Choose-- Running Run quickly, he reached the bus stop.


26. --Choose-- Writing Written homework was checked by the teacher.


27. --Choose-- Playing Played in the rain, the children got wet.


28. The --Choose-- excited exciting match attracted many viewers.


29. --Choose-- Finished Finishing work made him feel relaxed.


30. --Choose-- Lost Losing keys were found under the table.