General notion

The Participle is а non-finite form or a verbal. It doesn’t express person, number or mood and cannot be used as a predicate. There are two participles in the English language – Participle I and Participle II. Like a finite form Participle I has tense and voice distinctions, but its tense distinctions differ from those of a finite verb. Participle II has neither tense nor voice distinctions, though Participles II of transitive verbs can have passive meaning.

Double nature of the participle

The Participle developed from a verbal adjective and in the process of its development it was verbalized. Now it has verbal and adjectival or adverbial features.

In sentences participles can be used with or without dependent words. Participles used with dependent words form participle phrases. Participles can also form predicative constructions.

Some children entered the room laughing and talking.

She looks irritated.

She said it hesitating a little.

There was a letter written in a familiar handwriting.

We saw a car approaching the corner.

She had her hair cut.

The adjectival character of the Participle is manifested in the syntactic functions of attribute and predicative.

Attribute: The snow covering the ground seemed white and soft.

The ground covered with snow looked clean.

Predicative: The sight was depressing.

It was Sunday and the museum was closed.

The verbal properties of the Participle are as follows:

1. The Participle of the transitive verbs can take а direct object:

Closing the book she put it aside.

2. It cаn bе modified bу аn adverb:

Talking slowly she tried to make her words more distinct.

These words pronounced loudly made her shudder.

3. Participle I can have tense distinctions that are manifested in its forms – Indefinite (Non-perfect) and Perfect.

Knowing all the details she didn’t expect any surprise. – Indefinite

Having heard about it before, she didn’t listen to the speaker. – Perfect

4. Participle I of transitive verbs has also voice distinctions.

Inviting her friends to the party she sent them cards. – Indefinite Active

Being invited to the party she felt happy. – Indefinite Passive

Having told us everything she left. – Perfect Active

Having been told everything she wanted to hear she left. – Perfect Passive

Tense distinctions of participles

The tense distinctions of Participle I аrе not absolute like those of a finite verb, they аrе relative; the form of Participle I does not show whether the action refers to the present, past or future, but only whether it is simultaneous with the action expressed by the finite verb or prior to it.

1. Participle I Indefinite denotes аn action simultaneous with that expressed bу the finite verb, so it may refer to the present, past or future.

Coming home he usually spends some time in the garden. – Present

Coming home I started cooking supper. – Past

Coming home, call me immediately. –Future

2. Participle I Perfect denotes an action prior to that expressed bу the finite verb.

Having read the letter she usually destroys it. – Present

Having read the letter twice he tossed it into the fire-place. – Past

Having read the letter she will call you. – Future

3. Participle II has no tense distinctions. The action denoted by the participle may refer to the present, past or future and the context shows whether the action is simultaneous with or prior to the action expressed by the finite verb.

When interrupted she loses the idea. – Present

She stopped talking as if hurt by the lack of attention. – Past