Meaning & use
present participle
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Meaning
nouncountabletechnical
The -ing form of a verb, used to show an action in progress or to describe a noun.
Grammar: A grammar term: walking is the present participle of walk.
Patterns
- the present participle of a verb
In the sentence 'She is reading', reading is the present participle.
To make a present participle, you usually add -ing to the base verb.
A present participle can describe a noun, as in a barking dog.
Word forms
| plural | present participles |
|---|
Common combinations
- form the present participle
- To form the present participle of run, double the n and add -ing.
- present participle clause
- Walking home, I met an old friend is a present participle clause.
- use a present participle
- We use a present participle after verbs like keep and start in some patterns.
- present participle of a verb
- What is the present participle of swim?
Synonyms and how they differ
- -ing form
- The -ing form is a friendlier, informal label that covers both present participles and gerunds, whereas present participle names only the verb or adjective use.
- gerund
- A gerund looks identical but works as a noun, as in swimming is fun, while a present participle works as a verb or adjective.
Opposites
Word family
- participle noun
- a verb form used as part of a tense or as an adjective
- participial adjective
- relating to a participle
- past participle noun
- the form such as walked or eaten
Commonly confused: present participle or past participle? present participle or gerund?
present participle vs past participle
A past participle usually ends in -ed or is irregular (eaten, gone), while the present participle always ends in -ing.
present participle vs gerund
A gerund is the -ing form acting as a noun, as in Running keeps me fit.
Practice
Which word is a present participle in this sentence: The children were playing outside.
Choose one answer.
Playing is the -ing form of play and shows an action in progress. Were is a form of be and children and outside are not verb forms.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “present participle”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.