Present Participles: Definition and Examples

Present participles are an essential aspect of English grammar. Here we'll look at the definition of present participles and explore their functions, with examples.

We'll also look at present participles phrases and how gerunds differ from present particles.

Definition of Present Participles

Present particles are derived from verbs and they are used to form the continuous tenses or to form adjectives.

If you take any base verb and add "-ing", you generally derive the present participle of that verb. For example, the verb "run" becomes "running", and "eat" turns into "eating".

Base form of verb

eat
play
want
go
find

Present Participle

eating
playing
wanting
going
finding

Verbs, by themselves, denote actions. When a verb changes into its present participle form, it has the ability to express ongoing actions or states of being.

Present Participles & Verb Tenses

Now, moving on to how present participles help in making verb tenses.

Verbs in their base form alter into present participles to indicate continuous or progressive verb tenses. For instance, in "I am running", "running" is the present participle suggesting the ongoing nature of the action.

Let's take a look at some examples:

I am dancing – Present continuous tense
You were singing – Past continuous tense
They will be traveling – Future continuous tense

So we use the present participle to form the continuous tenses. But present participles aren't just confined to verb tenses. Amazingly, they also function as adjectives.

Present Participles as Adjectives

When a verb transforms into a present participle, it describes the subject or noun with a certain attribute or action. For instance, in the sentence "The running water was cold", "running" (from run) acts as an adjective to describe the state of the water.

Here are some other examples of present participles used as adjectives:

It was a charming song
(Here, "charming" is the present participle of the verb "charm", describing the song)
He wanted to hear an amusing story
("Amusing" is the present participle of the verb "amuse", describing the story)
He found the film exciting
(Here, "exciting" is the present participle of the verb "excite", describing the film)

Participle Phrases

Switching gears, you should also be aware of how present participles can be used in participle phrases to act as adjectives.

A participle phrase is a group of words that starts with a present participle. Like an adjective, it provides more information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence.

Here's an example:

Running down the street, the boy felt a sense of freedom

The phrase "Running down the street" begins with the present participle "running", and it explains more about the boy’s action.

The following are additional examples of present participle phrases:

Barking loudly, the dog alerted its owner of the intruder.
(The phrase 'barking loudly' describes the dog)
Staring at the beautiful painting, Mary was mesmerised.
(The phrase 'Staring at the beautiful painting' describes Mary)
I'm sitting next to a lady wearing a red dress.
('wearing a red dress' describes the lady)

Learn more about both present and past participle phrases >>

Gerunds versus Present Participles

Dynamic as they are, present participles often create confusion due to their similarity with gerunds. Both are formed by adding -ing to a verb, but don't be deceived, they have different functions!

While we've been discussing how present participles describe ongoing actions, function as adjectives, or form participle phrases, gerunds, on the other hand, behave like nouns. They can act as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence.

Here's an example illustrating the difference:

I love running

"Running" acts as the object of the verb "love", hence it's a gerund. Compare this to when a present participle is used:

I am running

"Running" depicts the ongoing action of the subject ‘I’, making it a present participle used to create the present continuous tense.

Learning to differentiate between gerunds and present participles can be tricky. You might find it helpful to remember that, in a nutshell, if the "-ing" word is doing something or experiencing an action, it's a present participle. If the "-ing" word is being something, it's a gerund.

To further cement your understanding, here are more examples illustrating the difference:

Swimming is a great exercise - gerund
The children are swimming in the pool - present participle

Test yourself in this Gerund or Present Participle Quiz >>

Present Participles: Definition and Examples - Summing Up

English grammar is a complex system with many intricate aspects, and present participles form one of those critical parts. As you refine your understanding and get comfortable with using present participles, your proficiency in English increases and you can express yourself more fluidly and vividly.

The correct use of present participles can add depth and diversity to your sentences, while enhancing the precision of your communication. Be it forming verb tenses, acting as adjectives, or developing participle phrases, present participles allow for a wide range of functions, thus greatly enriching the English language.

More about Verbs:

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs: The Differences
Transitive and intransitive verbs are different in transitive verbs must have a direct object, whereas intransitive verbs do not. In this grammar lesson we will look at the differences between them and study some examples.
Transitive and Intransitive Verb Quiz
A transitive and intransitive verb quiz where you have to decide which of the two sentences is which. This is a multiple choice quiz.
Ditransitive Verbs Explained
Ditransitive verbs are type of transitive verbs that take both a direct and indirect object. They are words such as give, buy, and lend.