Ever seen a word ending in -ing that looks like a verb but behaves like an adjective? That’s the present participle.
Definition of Present Participle
The present participle is formed by adding -ing to the base form of any verb. For example, walk → walking, run → running. Unlike other verb forms, it has no irregularities; every verb follows this simple rule.
Functions:
- adjective – describes a noun or pronoun.
- verb (progressive) – used with the auxiliary be to express ongoing action (is walking, were running).
- gerund – when it functions as a noun (subject, object, complement).
Basic Examples for Immediate Understanding
| Role | sentence | Explanation |
| adjective | The running dog chased the ball. | Running describes the dog. |
| verb (progressive) | She is reading a book. | Is reading shows ongoing action. |
| gerund (noun) | Reading is fun. | Reading acts as the subject of the sentence. |
Common Uses in Everyday Writing
- Describing Actions – crying girl, watching TV.
- Describing States or Conditions – bruised face, bleeding hand.
- Shortening Clauses – “Watching TV, he forgot everything else.”
- Emphasizing Continuous Action – “She is working.”
Distinguishing Present Participle from Gerund
gerund: Verb acting as a noun (subject, object). Example: Coughing exhausts Allen.
Present Participle: Verb acting as adjective or part of progressive verb. Example: Laughing girl is looking beautiful.
In‑Depth Examples from Literature
Adjective Use
- “I drive through the electric gates, passing landscaped gardens.” – Passing describes gardens.
- “Moonsamy, wearing jeans and a T‑shirt, is waiting for me.” – Wearing describes Moonsamy.
Verb (Progressive) Use
- “And standing on the sidelines during those first games were the veterans, holding the spaldeens…” – Standing shows ongoing action.
Gerund Use
- “Reading is a lifelong habit.” – Reading functions as noun.
Multiple Participles in One Sentence
“Their hair in curlers and their heads wrapped in loud scarves, young mothers, smoking cigarettes, eating candy…” – Each participle describes an action or state of the subjects.
Functions & Practical Tips
| Function | How to Use | Example |
| adjective | Attach to noun/pronoun; often precedes it. | The running dog |
| Progressive Verb | Combine with be (am/is/are/were) + participle. | She is running. |
| gerund | Treat as a noun: subject, object, complement. | Reading is fun. |
| Participial Clause | Shorten complex clauses; can be pre‑ or post‑positioned. | While running, she felt free. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing with Past Participle – walked vs walking.
- Using -ing on irregular verbs incorrectly – e.g., go → going, not goed.
- Misplacing the participial clause – it should not break sentence flow.
Practice Exercises
- Identify the role of each -ing word in the sentence: “The bouncing ball rolled across the floor.”
- Convert a gerund into a present participle: “Reading is enjoyable.” → “She is reading.”
- Rewrite a long clause using a participial clause: “While she was walking, she noticed the birds.” → “Walking, she noticed the birds.”
Summary
The present participle is a versatile verb form ending in -ing. It can act as an adjective, part of a progressive verb, or a gerund (noun). Mastery comes from recognizing its role in context and practicing with varied examples.