There are two types of participles: present participle and past participle. The present participle form always ends in –ing. Most verbs have their past participle form ending in –ed or –en. Of course, there are several exceptions to this rule.
Both the present participle and the past participle can be used as adjectives.
Complete the following sentences with an appropriate participle.
Exercise
1His ............... coat needs mending.
Wrong!
The past participle adjective "tattered" describes the coat as torn or worn out.
2A ............... stone gathers no moss.
Wrong!
The present participle "rolling" describes a stone that keeps moving.
3A ............... opportunity never returns.
Wrong!
The past participle adjective "lost" describes an opportunity that has been missed.
4He kept me ............... .
Wrong!
After "kept me," the present participle "waiting" shows the continuing action.
5She looked ............... .
Wrong!
The past participle adjective "worried" describes how she felt.
6I saw the storm ............... .
Wrong!
After "saw the storm," the present participle "approaching" describes the storm in progress.
7............... a noise, I turned around.
Wrong!
The present participle "Hearing" introduces the action that made the speaker turn around.
8Being ..............., he quit his job.
Wrong!
The past participle adjective "dissatisfied" describes how he felt.
9Being ............... with work, I couldn’t meet them.
Wrong!
The past participle adjective "occupied" means busy with something.
10............... by his wife, he persevered.
Wrong!
The past participle "Encouraged" shows that his wife gave him encouragement.
Done.
Score: 0/10
Answers
- His tattered coat needs mending.
- A rolling stone gathers no moss.
- A lost opportunity never returns.
- He kept me waiting.
- She looked worried.
- I saw the storm approaching.
- Hearing a noise, I turned around.
- Being dissatisfied, he quit his job.
- Being occupied with work, I couldn’t meet them.
- Encouraged by his wife, he persevered.

