The present participle of most verbs is formed by adding “-ing” to the base form of the verb, and it serves various purposes in language.
The present participle as part of the continuous form of a verb
Examples
- I am working.
- He was singing.
- They have been walking.
- We will be staying.
- She would have been expecting me.
The present participle after verbs of movement & position
This construction is particularly useful with the verb to go.
Examples
- She went shopping.
- I go running every morning.
- He lay looking up at the clouds.
- She came running towards me.
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The present participle after verbs of perception
The structure for this usage involves using a verb followed by an object and then a present participle. It’s important to note that there’s a difference in meaning between such a sentence with a zero infinitive and one with a participle. The infinitive denotes a completed action, while the present participle indicates an action in progress.
Examples
- I heard someone singing.
- He saw his friend walking along the road.
- I can smell something burning!
- I watched the birds flying away.
The present participle as an adjective
Examples
- It was an amazing film.
- Dark billowing clouds often precede a storm.
- He was trapped inside the burning house.
- Many of his paintings show the setting sun.
The present participle with the verbs spend and waste
The pattern with these verbs is verb + time/money expression + present participle.
Examples
- My boss spends two hours a day travelling to work.
- Don’t waste time playing computer games!
- They’ve spent the whole day shopping.
- I wasted money buying this game.
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The present participle with the verbs catch and find
The structure with these verbs involves using a verb followed by an object and then a present participle. When using “catch,” the participle always describes an action that provokes irritation or anger. However, this isn’t true for “find,” which is emotionally neutral.
Examples
- If I catch you stealing my apples again, there’ll be trouble!
- Don’t let him catch you reading his letters.
- I caught him going through my bag.
- We found some money lying on the ground.
- They found their mother sitting in the garden.
The present participle for two actions at the same time
When two actions take place simultaneously and are performed by the same entity, we can employ a present participle to depict one of them. Similarly, if one action swiftly ensues after another carried out by the same entity, we can convey the initial action using a present participle.
Examples
- Whistling to himself, he walked down the road. = He whistled to himself as he walked down the road.
- They went laughing out into the snow. = They laughed as they went out into the snow.
- Dropping the gun, she put her hands in the air. = She dropped the gun and put her hands in the air.
- Putting on his coat, he left the house. = He put on his coat and left the house.
The present participle to explain a reason
The present participle can replace a phrase that begins with “as,” “since,” or “because.” In this context, the participial phrase elucidates the cause or rationale behind an action.
Examples
- Feeling hungry, he went into the kitchen and opened the fridge.
- Being poor, he didn’t spend much on clothes.
- Knowing that his mother was coming, he cleaned the flat.
- He whispered, thinking his brother was still asleep.
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I am Nilay, an experienced English Language Assessment Director at the International English Test, where I have been working full-time since February 2020. I specialize in helping people worldwide validate their English proficiency through comprehensive assessments and certifications.
Before joining the International English Test, I worked as a self-employed English Language Assessment Consultant from January 2015 to December 2019. During this time, I assisted companies and individuals in improving their language skills, helping them achieve their academic and professional goals.
I hold a degree in Engineering and have also studied at Shafston International College in Australia. My educational background has equipped me with the tools to make a meaningful impact in the field of English language learning. Additionally, I enjoy sharing my expertise through articles that explore effective teaching methods and language assessment strategies, contributing to the International English Test and the broader assessment community.
