Participles as Adjectives
Participles, whether present
or past, can function as adjectives in a sentence. It is often difficult for
non-native speakers to decide whether to use the [verb + -ing] form or the
[verb + -ed] form when they are writing or speaking.
·
As a general rule, use the [V + -ing] form
when the noun performs or is responsible for the action described by the
adjective.
The crying
baby was quieted by her mother. (The baby was crying.)
The tiring
journey through the mountains seemed endless. (The journey was tiring those who
were traveling.)
Last
Friday night we attended an exciting play. (The play excited us.)
·
On the other hand, when the noun modified
by the adjective is the receiver of that action, use the past participle.
The irritated
passengers complained to the captain. (Something or someone caused the
passengers to be irritated. They did not cause the action.)
After
winning the grand prize, the shocked contestant just stood there, not
knowing
what to say or do. (Winning shocked the contestant.)
After
devouring its prey, the satisfied lion lay under a shady tree to take a nap.
(Eating satisfied the lion.)
The boring
teacher left the room. (The teacher is responsible for boring the students.)
The bored
teacher left the room. (Someone or something was responsible for her
leaving.)
EXERCISE
Select the correct form of the
participle (past or present) for each sentence.
1.
After the onslaught, the (raided, raiding)
village tried to clean up the debris.
2.
Despite a long delay, our (requested,
requesting) materials finally arrived.
3.
The kindergarten teacher read an (interested,
interesting) story to her students.
4.
Once the colonists were (settled, settling),
they began to organize a new government.
5.
The newly (explored, exploring) territory was
named “Louisiana” in honor of King Louis of France.
6.
The (paid, paying) bill was filed away.
7.
Unfortunately, it is up to the (worked,
working) class to support the poor.
8.
After a careful investigation, the (stolen,
stealing) property was returned to its owners.
9.
The day of the (dreaded, dreading) exam had
finally arrived, causing much anxiety.
10. The
(escaped, escaping) refugees managed to reach safety before they had been
missed.
11. The
(hated, hating) emperor was violently attacked by the peasants.
12. Maria’s
(missed, missing) locket was finally found in her sister’s drawer.
13. The
(planned, planning) committee has unanimously approved the company’s proposal.
14. The
(postponed, postponing) concert was rescheduled for the following week.
15. All of
the (wandered, wandering) hikers were found in good health, not too far from
their wrecked plane.
16. Carlos’s
(fought, fighting) spirit has enabled him to survive in this uncaring society.
17. Senator
Hawthorne addressed the college (graduated, graduating) class.
18. The
(frozen, freezing) temperatures during the holidays wiped out the citrus crop.
19. Because
Nell had no keys, it was impossible for us to get through the (locked, locking)
doors.
20. The
police asked all the (invited, inviting) guests to remain seated until the investigation
had been completed.
ANSWER KEY:
1.
raided
2.
requested
3.
interesting
4.
settled
5.
explored
6.
paid
7.
working
8.
stolen
9.
dreaded
10. escaping
11. hated
12. missing
13. planning
14. postponed
15. wandering
16. fighting
17. graduating
18. freezing
19. locked
20. invited
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