Past Participles in English

Sometimes, the difference between two grammar tenses lies in a subtle change of the verb. In continuous tenses, we add the -ing ending, and in perfect ones – we use a past participle. But what is a past participle definition? How can you know when to use it? That's what we're talking about today! Dive into this article and find grammar rules, example sentences, and much more information essential to understanding this topic.

What is a past participle?

The past participle is a verb form that typically expresses a completed action or state, but sometimes, they can also be used as adjectives or even nouns. There are two main types of past participles in English that define the way the verbs are formed.

• Regular verbs have past participle forms created by adding -ed or -d to the base verbs.

Example of structure with regular verbs:

• Irregular verbs have unique past participle English forms that don't necessarily follow a specific pattern. Common forms include endings like -en, -n, -ne, and -t:

Example of structure with irregular verbs:

Regular past participles use predictable patterns, while irregular ones require memorization. But don't worry! With some practice and time, recognizing and using them correctly becomes second nature.

Examples of Common Past Participle Words

There are numerous past participle words in English. Here's a list of the most common ones.

• Broken
• Found
• Seen
• Written
• Spoken
• Chosen
• Told
• Driven
• Given
• Taken
• Eaten
• Heard

Of course, that's not all. There are many more words, and you will definitely learn them over time!

When to Use a Past Participle

Usually, past participles are used in perfect tenses. But that's not all! There are more past participle usage examples. So, when else can you use it?

• Forming past tenses

Perfect tenses describe completed actions or states in relation to other time frames.

• Passive voice constructions

Another way to use past participle is in a pair with the verb "to be" to create a passive voice, where the focus is on the action rather than a doer.

• As adjectives

In previous examples, we showed you how to use it as a verb. But it can also be used as an adjective to describe a noun's condition or state.

• In conditional and hypothetical sentences

How to use past participle other than that? They can also help you describe hypothetical situations in third conditional and past unreal conditional sentences.

Past Participles as Nouns

What's a past participle? While not as typical as previous cases, English past participle can also be used as a noun in a sentence. It can happen when:

• Talking about a person or a group of people that have undergone or been affected by a certain action.

The injured were taken to the hospital.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

• Referring to an abstract concept or state resulting from an action.

She searched for the meaning in the broken.

We must learn from the forgotten. 

Past Participles vs. Present Participles 

The past participle in English has a sibling called a present participle. While both of them are verb forms, they serve different grammatical functions. Let's talk about their differences.

• Form

You already know from the past participle examples list that such verbs typically end in -ed (for regular verbs) or have an irregular form (broken, written, knelt). The present participle, on the other hand, always ends with -ing. The rule applies to regular and irregular verbs (writing, doing, going, breaking).

• Uses in tenses

When is past participle used? As mentioned before, it is an integral part of perfect tenses, where it helps to describe a completed action. Present participle, on the other hand, is for present continuous tenses. It shows the ongoing or continuous actions:

She has finished her work.

She is working.

Using past participle grammar allows describing the action that has already been finished, while present continuous showcases that the action is still happening in the present.

• Uses as adjectives

The same applies when we use the past or present participles as adjectives. The past participles describe the result of an action or a condition:

He found a lost puppy.

She tried to call with her broken phone.

Present participles describe something currently happening or a continuous quality:

A running engine makes a noise.

We met an interesting person.

To better remember the difference, keep in mind the simple rule: past participles focus on the result (e.g., a tired worker – a worker who is now tired), while present participles focus on the ongoing action (e.g., a tiring job – a job that makes people feel tired).

10 Examples of Past Participle in Sentences

As we always say, practice makes perfect. So now that you know how to define past participle and when to use it, take a look at some example sentences to solidify the knowledge.

• She has broken the vase.
• I have found the answer.
• We have seen the movie.
• He has written the book.
• She has spoken to her teacher.
• I have chosen the right path.
• They have told me the truth.
• He has driven the car.
• We have given our best.
• She has taken the wrong turn.

These are just a few examples of past participle in sentences. Of course, there are so many more!

Summary

What is past participle meaning, and why do you need to know it? It is a specific verb form that allows you to describe a completed action or state. It is essential to understand how to use it as it plays a crucial role in the clarity of one's speech.

When do you use past participle? Primarily, they appear in perfect tenses, passive voice constructions, and adjective forms. Moreover, they play a role in conditional sentences and even function as nouns. As a result, past participles can help you improve both written and spoken English, making your speech more precise and grammatically correct.