In the previous issue, we explored adjectives and adverbs. This time, we will focus on participles, one of the most frequently appearing grammar points in English books, news articles, and TOEIC reading passages (especially Parts 5 and 6 of the TOEIC exam). Many students struggle with participles when reading literature or solving TOEIC questions, but properly understanding them can greatly help improve English proficiency, as participles not only enrich meaning but also make sentences more concise and connect ideas more smoothly. A few years ago, out of curiosity, I analyzed the grammar-related questions in TOEIC Parts 5 and 6, and to my surprise, 17 questions were directly related to participles. Some of you might doubt this, thinking, “Really?” But if you understand that participles function as both adjectives and verbs—and that verbs can express progressive, passive, or perfect actions—it’s not surprising at all. As the saying goes, “Know yourself and your enemy, and you will win every battle.” Let’s enjoy learning the uses of participles and enhance both our reading and TOEIC skills.
1. Two Types of Participles
1) Present Participle (verb-ing): crying, sleeping, playing
2) Past Participle (verb-ed / irregular forms): loved, made, kept
2. Functions of Participles
1.1) Used as an Adjective: A participial adjective modifi es a noun.
- The crying baby kept everyone awake. (crying → modifies baby)
- The running water sounded very peaceful. (running → modifies water)
- The broken window needs to be repaired. (broken → modifies window)
- The finished report was submitted to the manager. (fi nished → modifies report)
1.2) Used as an Object Complement: A participial adjective describes or modifies the direct object.
- I observed her talking to the teacher. (talking → describes her, object complement)
- We heard the baby crying in the next room. (crying → describes the baby, object complement)
2) Used as a Verb: Participles can also function as part of a verb phrase, expressing progressive, passive, or perfect (completed) actions.
a. Progressive Actions (showing ongoing action)
•She is reading a book while listening to music.
•The children are playing in the garden.
b. Passive Actions (showing that the subject is aff ected by an action)
•The documents that were signed yesterday were submitted this morning.
•The cake that was baked by my mother tastes amazing.
c. Perfect Actions (showing a completed action, often before another action)
•He has finished his English homework, so he can take a rest now.
•She has already eaten lunch, so she is not hungry.
d. Participial Phrases (Simultaneous Actions)
•Walking down the street, she waved to her neighbor.
•Listening to music, he fi nished his homework quickly.
e. Participial Phrases with “with”
•With his arms folded, he waited silently for the meeting to start.
•With her legs crossed, she listened attentively to the lecture.
3. Participles in a Reading Passage
Walking through the quiet park, Emma felt a sense of calm she had rarely experienced. The trees, swaying gently in the breeze, cast moving shadows on the path. Exhausted from her morning jog, she stopped near a bench, watching the birds chirping happily above. Nearby, a fountain decorated with colorful flowers sparkled in the sunlight. Fascinated by the scene, Emma took out her sketchbook, drawing the fountain and surrounding plants carefully. Having completed her sketch, she leaned back, enjoying the peaceful moment. A group of children, laughing and playing, ran past her, chasing a bright ball. Inspired by their energy, Emma decided to continue walking, feeling refreshed and motivated. The park, maintained meticulously by volunteers, off ered a perfect escape from the busy city. The flowers planted by local gardeners, blooming in full color, reminded her of the simple joys of life. Observing people reading, chatting, and exercising, she realized how valuable such spaces were for everyone. Returning home, Emma carried memories of the morning, strengthened by the time spent outdoors and inspired by the harmony of nature and human activity.
You may have noticed that nearly half of this passage consists of participles in both their verbal and adjectival forms. I wrote it this way on purpose, since these forms appear frequently in English writing—from books to TOEIC questions. Without understanding their functions, you might struggle. I hope this article has helped strengthen your understanding of participles. Now, put what you've learned into practice with the questions that follow.
4. Practical Questions on Adjectives and Adverbs
Having reviewed the core concepts, let's test your understanding of participles with some practice questions. Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.
1 He found the window (closed, closing) tightly after the strong wind blew.
2 The (broken, breaking) chair in the corner cannot hold anyone’s weight.
3 (Walked, Walking) to school in the morning, she listened to music on her headphones.
4 The book (left, leaving) on the table by my friend was very interesting to read.
5 We heard the baby (cried, crying) loudly in the next room and went to check on him.
6 The flowers (planting, planted) last week in the garden are growing very quickly.
7 The man (sat, sitting) by the window was writing a letter while drinking his coffee.
8 The documents (signed, signing) by the manager were sent to the offi ce yesterday afternoon.
9 (Listened, Listening) carefully to the instructions, the students completed the task successfully.
10 With her arms (folding, folded), she waited patiently for the teacher to arrive in the classroom.
