A Participle is a form of a verb‎. In English‏‎ there are two participles:

• Present Participle‏‎
• Past Participle‏‎

Usage

We use the participles to help form different verb tenses‏‎. For example in this first example we use just the basic verb form known as the infinitive:

I walk

In these two examples we have used the two participles (highlighted) to form new verb tenses:

I was walking.

I have walked.

The Present Participle

The present participle is usually made by adding -ing to the end of the infinitive.

walking

talking

eating

sleeping

We use the present particle to form the continuous tenses‏‎:

He is sleeping.

They were laughing.

It can also be used as an adjective or nouns in some cases.

The Past Participle

The past participle is usually made by adding -ed to the infinitive:

walked

talked

The past participle is used to form the perfect tenses‏‎:

We have walked these hills many times.

He has slept for 18 hours!

The past participle can also sometimes be used as a noun.

Useful Links

Present Participle‏‎ in English Grammar – more detail on this verb form.

Past Participles‏‎ in English Grammar – more detail on this verb form.

Verb Tenses‏‎ & Forms in English Grammar – the title says it all.