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Participles as Modifiers

A participle can sit after a noun and tell us which one or what kind. An -ing participle shows the noun doing the action (the boy running). An -ed or -en participle shows the action done to the noun (the window broken by the ball). It is a short form of a relative clause.

🎬 Step-by-step story

  1. Two boys stand in a park. Which one is "the boy"? We need a small phrase to point to him.
  2. Add a present participle: "the boy running in the park". The -ing word tells what he is doing now.
  3. Add a past participle: "the window broken by the ball". The action is finished and was done to the window.
  4. Compare: -ing means the noun does the action. -ed means the action happens to the noun.
  5. Short cut: remove "who is" from "the boy who is running" and you get "the boy running".
  6. Free play: press a button and see which participle fits which noun.

Tip: drag the 3D scene to turn it. Use two fingers to zoom.

🤔 Common doubts, cleared

Why do we need more than the noun?

Because "the boy" alone does not tell us which boy. The participle phrase gives the identity.

When do I use -ing?

When the noun is the one doing the action, usually right now. The glowing boy runs by himself.

Why is it broken and not breaking?

The window did not break anything. The ball broke it, so we use the past participle.

How do I decide between -ing and -ed?

Look at the arrow: out of the noun means -ing, into the noun means -ed.

Where did "who is" go?

In the short form we drop the relative pronoun and be. The meaning stays the same.

Can I use the same verb both ways?

Yes. A "boiling kettle" is doing it; "boiled eggs" had it done to them. Try different buttons in the free play.

What is a participle used as a modifier?

A modifier is a word or phrase that tells us more about a noun. A participle is a verb form that works like an adjective. There are two kinds:

Usually one participle comes before the noun (a running tap). If it has more words with it, the whole phrase comes after the noun (the tap running in the kitchen).

Present participle after a noun

The -ing word shows the noun is doing the action, usually right now.

Test: you can say "who/which is ...ing" in front. "The girl who is standing near the gate" works, so the short form works.

Past participle after a noun

The -ed or -en word shows something was done to the noun. It has a passive meaning.

Test: you can say "who/which was/is ...ed". "The window which was broken by the ball" works.

Short form of a relative clause

Both patterns are shortened relative clauses. Take away the relative pronoun and the verb be:

This only works when the clause has be + participle. For a clause such as "the boy who plays", you can change it to "the boy playing" only when it means right now or for a repeated habit with the same meaning.

Try it

Try it at home: look around the room and write three sentences. One about something doing an action ("the fan turning above me"), and two about things something happened to ("the cup left on the table", "the clothes washed yesterday"). Then use the 3D free play to check your pairs.

Key formulas and definitions

Worked examples

1. Join: "The girl is my cousin. She is standing near the gate." Use a participle.

The girl standing near the gate is my cousin. (-ing, because she does the action.)

2. Shorten: "The cake which was baked by Asha was tasty."

Remove "which was": The cake baked by Asha was tasty. (-ed, because the cake was baked.)

3. Choose the right form: "The glass (breaking / broken) on the floor is dangerous."

broken. The glass did not do the breaking; it was broken.

4. Choose: "I saw a dog (chasing / chased) a cat."

chasing. The dog does the chasing right now.

Common mistakes

Practice quiz

1. In "the boy running in the park", running is a:
2. Which sentence is correct?
3. "The car which was parked outside" can be shortened to:
4. An -ed participle after a noun usually has what meaning?
5. What do you remove to shorten "the girl who is singing"?

Practice: answer these yourself

Type or choose your answer, then press Check. Use a hint if you are stuck; the full solution appears after you answer.

Frequently asked questions

What is a participle in simple words?

A participle is a verb form that works like an adjective. It describes a noun: a running tap, a broken glass.

Is a participle phrase the same as a relative clause?

It is a shorter version. "The boy who is running" and "the boy running" mean the same thing.

Where does it come in school exams?

In many countries it is taught in lower secondary English grammar, often as joining sentences or choosing the correct form.

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