Grammar-Quizzes › Verb Phrases › Verb Complements › Participle Summary
Participles (-ed /-ing)
Summary of Practices
Participles as Modifiers 1: contrast the receiver with the source of the experience
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
The act was entertaining. (present participle)
We were entertained. (past participle)
It was an entertaining act.
The highly entertained audience sat silently.
Participles as Modifiers 2: contrast an on-going process with a completed state
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Ongoing -ing/ Completed -ed Adj.
Practice – complete the sentence
a roasting chicken — still cooking!
a roasted chicken — done!
A recently spotted owl was making a nest. (seen)
A spotted owl nests in spring. (natural appearance)
A sleeping dog should not be awakened. (ongoing)
A sleeping bag is required for camping. (function)
Gerund-Participle: Is there a difference? Compare the functions of -ing word forms.
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Grammar Notes (show-hide arrow)
Gerund-Particple Merge (no difference between two)
The endings of those movies were disappointing. (SUBJ)
The movies were ending without finishing the story. (PRED)
Ending the movie production was difficult. (SUBJ)
The director began ending the movie production. (COMP)
The production ending in June will be shown in theaters in August. (MODIFIER)
Participle Modifier Quiz: auto-correcting quiz
Intermediate–Advanced ESL
source: -ing ending
receiver: -ed ending
ongoing process: -ing ending
completed process: -ed ending
I was surprised to see how much the neighborhood had changed. (past participial adjective)
It was surprising to see how much the neighborhood had changed. (present participial adjective)
We saw broken windows. (past participial adjective)
We heard breaking news. (present participial adjective)
Participle w/ Prep: express reaction to circumstances or things
Intermediate–Advanced ESL
Participles w/ Specified Prepositions
Coordinated Participial Modifiers
Practice 1 – complete the sentence
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Related Practices: Participle-Prep Prac, Gerund Objects, Verb + PP Prac 1, Verb + PP Prac 2, Verb + PP Prac 3
The children were interested in hearing his story.
The press was excited about the President's speech.
The President is pleased with the response.
The President is pleased with how the people responded.
He is interested in and excited about his new project.
Clause Reduction 1: shorten modifying clauses with be verb forms
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Clause Reduction (be verb forms)
Gerund Clause (progressive)
Participle Clause (passive)
Avoiding the Loss of Information
Practice – multiple choice
Also known as that + be deletion, or changing a finite relative clause to a nonfinite relative clause.
The seat [that was] next to me was empty.
A talk show [which is] trying to improve its rating may plan a fight.
The woman [who is] seated behind me is eating popcorn.
Clause Reduction 2: shorten modifying clauses that have active verb forms
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Reducing a Clause (active verb forms)
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Also known as that + be deletion, or changing a finite relative clause to a nonfinite relative clause.
The committee [which meets] next week will discuss a new bill.
The committee meeting next week will discuss a new bill.
Past Participle Clauses: reduce modifying clauses that have passive verb forms
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Practice 3 – edit the paragraph
Also known as that + be deletion, or changing a finite relative clause to a nonfinite relative clause.
The Golden Gate Bridge, [which was] designed by Charles Ellis, ...
The Golden Gate Bridge, designed by Charles Ellis, ...
Present Participle Clauses: reduce modifying clauses that have active verb forms
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 3 – edit the paragraph
Also known as that + be deletion, or changing a finite relative clause to a nonfinite relative clause.
The federal agency, which was locating the prison on Alcatraz,
preferred the isolated location of the island.
The federal agency, which was located in San Francisco,
preferred the isolated location of the island.
Misrelated Clause: improve the positioning of modifying clauses
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
*Being a guy, it is hard for him to understand her point of view.
Being a guy, he has a hard time understanding her point of view.
Irreg Verb Forms 1: practice using irregular present, past and participle verb forms
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
awake, beat begin, bite, blow, bring, buy, choose, cost, dig, draw, drive, fall, feel, find, fly, get, go, hang, hear, hit, hold, hurt, know, lay,
Jaycee (spinned, span, spun?) _____the ball on his toe last night.
Irreg Verb Forms 2: practice using irregular present, past and participle verb forms
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
let, lie, lose, loosen, meet, put, read, ring, run, see, send, shake, shut, sit, slide, spend, stand, stick, swear, swim, teach, tell, throw, upset wear,
Jamie (let) _____the ball drop in yesterday's final play.
Gerund-Participles—in nonfinite clauses (w/ secondary verbs)
Finite / Nonfinite: recognize two clause categories (with primary and secondary verbs)
Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
Nonfinite Clause–Gerund-Participle
Nonfinite Clause–Past Participle
Practice 1- identify verb category
Practice 2- identify nonfinite clauses
Practice 3- identify verb form type
The children helped Charlie raise the flag.
Charlie wants to raise his hand.
Charlie likes raising his hand.
The flag raised on the pole waved in the wind.
Nonfinite Clauses—Timing & Voice: express earlier, same or later timing (active & passive)
Intermediate–Advanced ESL
Jack seems to have left the door unlocked. (earlier)
He should have known better. (earlier)
Jack remembers having left in a hurry. (earlier)
He admits to being preoccupied. (same time)
He was told to lock the door. (same time)
He plans to double-check the door before leaving. (later)