Definition: A participle is a word formed from a verb that can function as part of a verb phrase.

There are two participles: The present participle and the past participle. They can both be used as
adjectives.

Present participle
The present participle is formed by adding "-ing" to the base form of a verb. It is used in:

i. Continuous or Progressive verb forms

I'm leaving in five minutes.


The girl is swimming

ii  As an adjective
 A dying man
 Your mother is a charming person
iii As a gerund
 He is afraid of flying.

Note the exceptions in spelling when adding "ing":

Exception Example
come – coming
Final e dropped (but: ee is not changed)
agree - agreeing
Final consonant after short, stressed vowel is doubled sit – sitting
Final consonant l after vowel is always doubled (in British
travel – travelling
English)
Final ie becomes y lie – lying

Past participle
The past participle is formed by adding "-ed" to the base form, unless it is an irregular verb. It is
used:

i. As an adjective

 A tired group
 Spoken words cannot be revoked.
ii With the auxiliary verb "have" to form the perfect aspect
 The gas station has closed
 They've just arrived.
iii With the verb "be" to form the passive
 He was robbed a couple of days ago.
 The letter was written.

Note the following exceptions in spelling when adding "ed":

Exceptions when adding ed Example

after a final e, only add d love – loved
final consonant after a short, stressed vowel admit – admitted
or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled travel – travelled
final y after a consonant becomes i hurry – hurried