Question

when a participles describes a noun, what part of speech does it act like

Answer 1

A participle that describes a noun functions like an adjective.

Examples:
- "The broken window" — broken (past participle) modifies window.
- "The running water" — running (present participle) modifies water.
- "Tired from the trip, she slept" — tired (past participle used adjectivally) describes she.

Note: A gerund is the -ing form used as a noun (e.g., "Swimming is fun"), while a participle is a verb form used adjectivally or in verb phrases.