Present participles are verb forms ending in –ing. Examples are: crying, learning, singing, interesting etc. Some –ing forms can also be used as adjectives.
State whether the –ing forms used in the following sentences are adjectives or present participles.
1. Interesting though it was, we didn’t enjoy the concert much.
a) Interesting is an adjective
b) Interesting is a present participle
2. It was raining when I got home.
a) Raining is an adjective
b) Raining is a present participle
3. I love the noise of falling rain.
a) Falling is an adjective
b) Falling is a present participle
4. It is a pressing problem.
a) Pressing is an adjective
b) Pressing is a present participle
5. She was writing a letter.
a) Writing is an adjective.
b) Writing is a present participle
6. The lecture was very interesting.
a) Interesting is an adjective.
b) Interesting is a present participle
7. She is an interesting writer.
a) Interesting is an adjective.
b) Interesting is a present participle.
8. The woodcutter was felling trees.
a) Felling is an adjective
b) Felling is a present participle.
9. The news was exciting.
a) Exciting is an adjective.
b) Exciting is a present participle
10. I was working on that report when she called.
a) Working is an adjective.
b) Working is a present participle
Answers
1. Interesting is an adjective. It modifies the noun concert.
2. Raining is a present participle. It forms the continuous verb with be.
3. Falling is an adjective. It modifies the noun rain.
4. Pressing is an adjective. It modifies the noun problem.
5. Writing is a present participle. It forms the continuous verb form with be.
6. Interesting is an adjective. It modifies the noun lecture.
7. Interesting is an adjective. It modifies the noun writer.
8. Felling is a present participle. It forms the past continuous verb form with be.
9. Exciting is an adjective.
10. Working is a present participle. It forms the past continuous verb form with be.
