Past participle meaning

A past participle is a form of a verb that typically ends in -ed, and functions as an adjective or part of a verb phrase.


Past participle definitions

Word backwards tsap elpicitrap
Part of speech The part of speech of the word "past participle" is a noun.
Syllabic division past par-tic-i-ple
Plural The plural of past participle is past participles.
Total letters 14
Vogais (3) a,i,e
Consonants (6) p,s,t,r,c,l

When learning about verbs, understanding the concept of a past participle is essential. A past participle is a form of a verb that typically ends in -ed in regular verbs. For irregular verbs, the past participle form does not follow a specific pattern and must be memorized. Past participles are used to form various verb tenses, such as the present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect.

Formation of Past Participles

To form the past participle of regular verbs, you simply add -ed to the base form of the verb. For example, the past participle of the verb "walk" is "walked." Irregular verbs, on the other hand, have unique past participle forms that do not follow this rule. For instance, the past participle of the verb "go" is "gone," which does not end in -ed.

Usage of Past Participles

Past participles are used in various grammatical constructs, including passive voice and perfect tenses. In passive voice sentences, the past participle follows some form of the verb "to be," such as "is," "was," "has been," etc. For example, "The cake was eaten by the children." In perfect tenses, past participles are used with auxiliary verbs like "have" or "had" to indicate completion or continuity of an action. For instance, "I have finished my homework."

Participial Phrases

Another common usage of past participles is in participial phrases, which consist of a past participle along with its modifiers and complements. These phrases can act as adjectives to provide additional information about a noun or pronoun. For example, "The broken window needs to be repaired." In this sentence, "broken" acts as a past participle in the participial phrase describing the window.

Overall, understanding past participles is crucial for mastering English grammar and effectively communicating in writing. By recognizing how past participles are formed and used in different contexts, you can enhance your language skills and convey your thoughts more accurately and eloquently.


Past participle Examples

  1. The broken vase had been carefully glued back together.
  2. The lost dog was finally reunited with its owner.
  3. She was surprised by the unexpected gift left on her doorstep.
  4. The excited children had already finished their homework.
  5. The forgotten keys were found under the couch.
  6. The exhausted hiker had reached the mountain peak.
  7. The stolen car was recovered by the police.
  8. The damaged roof needed to be replaced.
  9. The frozen lake was too dangerous to skate on.
  10. The abandoned house was slowly falling apart.


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  • Updated 07/04/2024 - 01:24:28