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Both present and past participles are used with the verbs to
be and to have to create common verb tenses, but they can
also be used as adjectives. Since
there is a slight difference in meaning between the present and the
past
participles when they are used as adjectives, it is very important to
choose the
appropriate form.
Present participles are formed by adding –ing to the verb
stem. As an
adjective, a present participle modifies a noun that affects
someone or something else.
The new song is interesting.
The new song was interesting.
Past participles are formed by adding –ed, to the verb stem,
but some of the irregular forms may end in –d, –en, –n, or –t.
As an adjective, a past participle modifies a noun that is
affected by someone or something else.
The fans are interested in the new song.
The fans were interested in the new song.
Participles generally come before the noun they modify. They
may also be linked to the subject of the sentence by a linking
verb such as to be or to feel.
The park is a frightening place at night.
Steve felt frightened as he walked alone in the
park at night.
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frighten - frightening - frightened
The -ing form of the verb expresses the cause of the feeling.
The -ed form of the verb expresses the result.
In the case of the verb "to bore" Akira said she is BORING which
means Akira is actually BORING and not the class.
Akira should say because this class is BORING, I am BORED, or
simply I am BORED.
The class is the cause of her feeling, so it is described with an -ing
form, in this case BORING.
Her feeling, or the result, is described with an -ed form, in this case
BORED.
Basically you should remember that things can only be described
with the -ing form because things cannot produce feelings.
People can be described with either the -ing or -ed forms because
they can produce feelings in other people or experience feelings
themselves.
an interesting book
an interested student
3. When the past participle (-ed, -en form) is used, the noun it
describes is (or was) acted upon.
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For example, in The child is frightened by the dog, the child is
the receiver of the action and is described as a frightened child.
4. The use of the present or past participle does not depend on the
verb tense of the sentence, but rather on the performer/receiver
situation.
Examples:
The dog frightens the cat. The frightening dog runs after
the cat.
The frightened cat runs away.
The problem confuses the The confusing problem
students. frightens the students.
They are confused students.
The story amused the It was an amusing story.
children. The amused children laughed
alot.
The class bores the students. What a boring class it is!
The bored students have
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stopped listening to the
teacher.
6. Participles used as adjectives often come after the noun they
modify, following a linking verb like
Be, Become, or Seem
Examples
Mathematics is interesting.
My friends are interested in sports
You seem confused
Problems often become frustrating.
I am fascinated by my children.
My children quickly became tired at school.
School can be tiring for young children
Examples:
an amusing ride
(The ride causes the amusement.)
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an amused child
(The child receives the feeling of amusement.)
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Practice Exercise
In the sentences below, fill in the correct participles of the verbs in
parentheses.
1. People who constantly complain are very __________ (annoy) to
me.
2. Whenever Adrian gets __________ (bore), he goes fishing.
3. The students were __________ (confuse) by the Professor’s lecture.
4. Most of the news on television is __________ (depress).
5. The Ruttles were very ________ (excite) to learn that their concert
was
sold out.
6. Babysitting young children can be __________ (exhaust) for many
people.
7. Steve was so __________ (fascinate) by the book that he finished it
in one
evening.
8. Would you be __________ (frighten) if you saw a vampire?
9. After eating a __________ (satisfy) meal, the cat washed her face.
10. When Dagmar looked in the mirror, she was __________ (surprise)
to
see that she had a leaf in her hair.
Answer Key
Exercise
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