A participle is a type of verb that can function as an adjective, noun, or part of a verb phrase. There are two main types of participles: present participles, which typically end in "-ing" (e.g., "running," "swimming"), and past participles, which usually end in "-ed," "-en," or other forms depending on the verb (e.g., "run," "swim," "broken").
- As an adjective: "The crying baby needs attention." (Here, "crying" modifies "baby.")
- As a noun: "Swimming is my favorite activity." (Here, "swimming" acts as the subject of the sentence.)
- As part of a verb phrase: "She has finished her homework." (Here, "finished" is part of the verb phrase "has finished.")
Participles add variety and depth to sentences, helping to convey different meanings and structures.