PAST PARTICIPLE AS ADJECTIVE
Both present and past participles are used
with the verb TO BE and TO HAVE to create common verb tenses, but they can also
be used as adjectives. Since there is a slight difference in meaning between
the present and the past participles when they are used as adjective, it is
very important to choose the appropriate form.
A.
Present participles are formed
by adding -ing to the verb stem. As an
adjective, a present participle modifies a noun that affects someone or
something else. We usually use the present participle (ending in -ing) to talk
about the person, thing, or situation which has caused the feeling.
Example:
1. The new film
is interesting.
2. My
ex-boyfriend was interesting.
3. It was such a
long, boring flight (so I was bored).
4. I read a
really interesting book about history (so I was interested).
5. Many people
find spiders frightening (so they're frightened when they see spiders).
B.
Past participles are formed by
adding -ed to the verb stem, but some of the irregular form may end in -d, -ed,
-n, or -t. Some participles (like 'bored' or 'boring') can be used as
adjectives. These are used in a slightly different way from normal adjectives.
We usually use the past participle (ending in -ed) to talk about how someone
feels. As an adjective, a past participle modifies a noun that is affected by
someone or something else.
Example:
1. I am not
interested in my ex-boyfriend.
2. I was
interested in my ex-boyfriend.
3. I'm
interested in history (NOT: She's really interesting in history).
4. He's frightened
of spiders (NOT: John's frightening of spiders).
C.
Participle generally come
before the noun they modify. They may also be linked to the subject of the
sentence by a linking verb such as TO BE or TO FEEL.
Example:
1. The house is
a frightening place at night.
2. I felt
frightened when I walked alone in front of the house.
Sources:
1.
http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/writing/handouts/Participles%20Used%20as%20Adjectives.pdf
2. http://shelesl.blogspot.com/
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