present participle
English edit
Noun edit
present participle (plural present participles)
- (grammar) A nonfinite verb form that indicates an ongoing action or state and which can function as an adjective.
Usage notes edit
Present participles of English verbs are always formed with the suffix -ing. The English progressive (continuous) verb aspect is periphrastic—a phrase comprising a finite inflection (for the person, number and tense) of the auxiliary verb be followed by the full verb’s present participle. (The progressive can combine with other aspects; the perfect progressive aspect is periphrastically constructed with a finitely inflected auxiliary verb have + present participle of be (i.e., being) + past participle of the full verb.)
When a participle functions as a noun, it is called a gerund. A participle may also function as an adjective (that is, a participial adjective), especially in attributive use. It can evolve to become either a true noun or a true adjective, or both, with a shift in meaning, sometimes substantial. To see examples, look for words ending in “-ing” in Category:English adjectives and Category:English nouns.
Synonyms edit
- p.pr. (abbreviation)
Hypernyms edit
Coordinate terms edit
Related terms edit
Translations edit
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