Participle
noun
A word formed from a verb, often used in written English in a specific form.
In the sentence 'The child is sleeping,' 'sleeping' is a present participle.
Often appears as...
- present participle
- past participle
Usage tips
Academic
noun
In grammar, a form of a verb that is used in a sentence to modify a noun, noun phrase, verb, or verb phrase, and thus plays a role similar to an adjective or adverb.
'Washed' in the phrase 'washed dishes' is a participle.
Often appears as...
- participle clause
- participle phrase
Usage tips
Academic
noun
A word formed from a verb, often used in written English in a specific form.
In the sentence 'The child is sleeping,' 'sleeping' is a present participle.
Often appears as...
- present participle
- past participle
Usage tips
Academic
noun
In grammar, a form of a verb that is used in a sentence to modify a noun, noun phrase, verb, or verb phrase, and thus plays a role similar to an adjective or adverb.
'Washed' in the phrase 'washed dishes' is a participle.
Often appears as...
- participle clause
- participle phrase
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Verb Forms
Participles are not standard verbs; they are verb forms used like adjectives or to form verb tenses.
The 'baked' in 'baked beans' describes the beans.
Pro Tip 2/3Active Meaning
A present participle often describes an action someone/something is actively doing.
'Running' water indicates the water is flowing.
Pro Tip 3/3Continuous Action
Present participles can give a sense of ongoing action in the present, past, or future.
He will be 'running' the meeting tomorrow.
Compare with
adjective
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Video examples
Jamila Lyiscott: 3 ways...
Never does the word "madd" go before a present participle That’s simply the principle of this English” If I had the vocal capacity I would sing this from every mountaintop, From every suburbia, and every hood
Video examples
Jamila Lyiscott: 3 ways...
Never does the word "madd" go before a present participle That’s simply the principle of this English” If I had the vocal capacity I would sing this from every mountaintop, From every suburbia, and every hood
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Carol Berg
American Novelist
I had really good English teachers in elementary through high school. Not only were we required to read a lot - which is the best training for writing - we were drilled on grammar every day, every night. I hated the drill part, but I don't dangle my participles too often.
Quote examples
Colum McCann
Irish Writer
I don't really know what an adverb is. A dangling participle? That sounds really rude. I don't know what character is, really. Plot seems vaguely juvenile to me. It's all about language, it's all about how you apply it to the page.
Quote examples
David Leavitt
American Novelist
It was an instinct to put the world in order that powered her mending split infinitives and snipping off dangling participles, smoothing away the knots and bumps until the prose before her took on a sheen, like perfect caramel.
Quote examples
Carol Berg
American Novelist
I had really good English teachers in elementary through high school. Not only were we required to read a lot - which is the best training for writing - we were drilled on grammar every day, every night. I hated the drill part, but I don't dangle my participles too often.
Quote examples
Colum McCann
Irish Writer
I don't really know what an adverb is. A dangling participle? That sounds really rude. I don't know what character is, really. Plot seems vaguely juvenile to me. It's all about language, it's all about how you apply it to the page.
Quote examples
David Leavitt
American Novelist
It was an instinct to put the world in order that powered her mending split infinitives and snipping off dangling participles, smoothing away the knots and bumps until the prose before her took on a sheen, like perfect caramel.
Example 1 of 3
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