Learn English Grammar and Vocabulary
The participle as an adjective
A participle may be used as a simple qualifying adjective in front of a noun.
- A rolling stone gathers no moss.
- The door opened with a creaking noise.
- The judge reprimanded the lying witness.
- Barking dogs seldom bite.
- A burnt child dreads fire.
- His sophisticated manners produced a very favorable impression.
The participle may also be used predicatively (after a verb).
- She looked worried.
- He kept me waiting.
Notes:
A past participle used as an adjective has a passive meaning.
- A burnt child = a child who is burnt
- A painted wall = a wall that is painted
A present participle used as an adjective has an active meaning.
- A rolling stone = a stone that rolls
- A lying witness = a witness that lies
A participle may be modified by an adverb.
- Loudly knocking at the door, he demanded admission. (Here the adverb loudly modifies the present participle ‘knocking’.)
Related posts:
Comments are closed.