The present
participle and past participle forms of some verbs may be used as adjectives!
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The present participle form of the
adjective refers to the effect that the subject of the
clause creates or makes on something or someone else. |
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The past participle form of the adjective
refers to how the subject of the clause is effected or has
been affected by someone or something else. |
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An
example of the present and past participles used as adjectives:
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The
cat was frightened by a visit to the veterinarian.
A
visit to the veterinarian was frightening to the cat.
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Some
Present Participles Used as Adjectives |
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boring
frightening
interesting
tiring
exciting
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The
present participle form of the adjective serves as a complement to the
subject with the verb be. It refers to the effect something or someone has
on something or someone else.
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The
class was boring. |
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The tornado was
frightening. |
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The book that I read was very
interesting. |
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The trip was very
tiring. |
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New York City is
exciting. |
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Some
Past Participles Used as Adjectives |
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bored
frightened
interested
tired
excited
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The
past participle form of the adjective serves as a compliment to the
subject with the verb be. It refers to how someone or something is
affected by someone or something else. |
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I am always bored in class. |
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Sally is frightened when there is a storm. |
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John is interested in theatre. |
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We were tired from the trip. |
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Doung was
excited to be in New York
City. |
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The
present participle may be called the continuous participle because it is
used to form the continuous tenses. The
past participle may be called the perfect passive participle because it
is used to form the perfect tenses and the passive voice.
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