Present and past participle

Question

When thinking about participles, don't be misled by the words present and past. These terms refer to different forms of verbs, not to different times or tenses.What does it mean by this statement?Tense does indicate which form you use though...Any thoughts would be great, thanks.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

.
Just what it says-- the participles do not always refer to present and past time respectively.

Sedulously polishing his sandals, he forgot that he was due in the Colosseum at noon.
.

Eddie88 · Answer

Thanks for that. So sometimes it refers to time/tense, while other times, it refers to its form.

How do you know when to use one or the other?

For example,

Lisa is Taranaki’s very own ultra marathoner who has recently completed the Badwater Ultramarathon through Death Valley California on 14 - 16 July 2008.

Lisa is Taranaki’s very own ultra marathoner, recently completing/completed...

If I were to change the relative clause into an ing phrase, how would I know whether to change it to the past or present participle;I just use what sounds right, but I'd like to now the rule(s).

Thanks a load in advance!

Rafaelinrio · Answer

Eddie88
Lisa is Taranaki’s very own ultra marathoner, recently completing/completed...

In this case, if you use simple past you've got to use the relative pronoun WHO

Lisa is Taranaki's very own ultra marathoner, who recently completed....because in this case u have 2 caluses and who joins the two clauses.

Lisa is Taranaki's very own ultra marathoner, recently completing

Verbs in the ING form, in other words, present participles can be used without a subject whereas verbs in the simple past need a subject to be related to or a relative pronoun, which links the verb to the subject.

i.g: Norah Jones is a famous novel writer writing more than 100 novels.
Norah Jones is a famous novel writer, who wrote more than 100 novels.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

The participle form (present, past) can be used as an adjective which modifies a noun. The present participle describes a noun that is involved in an activity at the same relative time as the main verb in the sentence.
Scratching his fleas, the thirsty dog tried to drink from the hydrant. (at the same time he was drinking, he was scratching)
Scratching his fleas, the thirsty dog tries to drink from the hydrant.
Running down the stairs, Gail tripped and fell. (past).
Running down the stairs, Gail trips and falls. (present).
The past participle is in passive voice, and relative past time to the main verb.
The damaged car needs to be repaired. (present).
The damaged car will be repaired tomorrow. (Future).
The damaged car had been broken beyond repair. (past perfect)

Note that the past participle is also the simple past tense, and in passive voice verb constructions etc.

The car was damaged yesterday.
I damaged my car yesterday.

The present participle is used in the continuous tenses. (present, past, and future)

Eddie88 · Answer

Thank you both, especially Alphecca.

That was well explained! I have strugled to find this info anywhere.

Just to see that I'm right about one thing, is this correct.

The past participle, when describing the noun, is used ONLY in passive voice,and it is in the past from the main verb. Can you give me an example of one where it is attached to the end of the clause as like a verb cluster.

I have been reading about the 17 free modifiers and the resumptive and summative modifiers as they help to reduce relative clauses and provide variety in my writing. Thanks for solving my own quandary.

One final question... The ing phrase can be simply a reduced relative clause OR a continuation of the verb prase (verb cluster). If you don't understand what I mean, I have written another post that no one seems to have answered.

Thanks.

Eddie88 · Answer

Hi, Alphecca

Could you please answer this question on participles? No one else seems to know the answer to it! It is completely relevant to the information you provided in this post, so I'm sure you can help me.

Here is the link:

Thanks in advance!

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Eddie88Can you give me an example of one where it is attached to the end of the clause as like a verb cluster.

I cannot think of an example, except in normal passive voice.

The car, drven at high speed straight into the concrete barrier, was crushed and irreparably damaged.
"Damaged" could be considered to be a predicate adjective, or just part of the passisve past verb phrase.
I really don't understand the reason for this question.

Eddie88One final question... The ing phrase can be simply a reduced relative clause OR a continuation of the verb prase (verb cluster).

The long-tailed grey bird singing on the high wire is a scissor-tail flycatcher.

The phrase "singing on the high wire" can be considered as a reduced (no relative pronoun) clause.

Present and past participle

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions