Present participles and past participles used as adjectives
Both present participles and past participles may be used as adjectives. The present participle always ends in -ing. Past participles usually end in -ed, -d, -en, -n, or -t.
PRESENT PARTICIPLES |
confusing, speaking, boring |
PAST PARTICIPLES |
confused, spoken, bored |
Like all other adjectives, participles can come before nouns; they also can follow linking verbs, in which case they describe the subject of the sentence.
Choosing present vs. past participle
Use a present participle to describe a person or thing causing or stimulating an experience.
The lecture caused boredom.
Use a past participle to describe a person or thing undergoing an experience.
The audience experienced boredom.
Participles that describe emotions or mental states often cause the most confusion.
annoying/ |
exhausting/ |
boring/ |
fascinating/ |
confusing/ |
frightening/ |
depressing/ |
satisfying/ |
exciting/ |
surprising/ |
Exhausting describes the hike, which caused exhaustion.
Exhausted describes the hikers, who experienced exhaustion.
Exercises:
Present vs. past participles 1
Present vs. past participles 2
Related topic: