Past Participle Definition In the English language, there are a few grammatical structures that are used often, but the usage rules are not fully understood or, at least, cannot be easily expressed by most people. One such piece of grammar is the ‘past participle’, which is a type of verb that describes an action that…

Present Participle Definition In English, the ‘present participle’ is a type of verb that describes an action that is occurring during the current time (or the present) and may be modified by different verb tenses to reflect whether the action is continuous or complete. The verb can modify a noun, noun phrase, adjective, or adjective phrase. Additionally,…

What is a participle? A participle is a verbal that is used as an adjective and most often ends in -ing or -ed. They function as adjectives, thus participles modify nouns or pronouns. There are two participles: The present participle and the past participle. They can both be used as adjectives. The Present participle, always ending in -ing.…

Verbs Followed by Gerunds List Admit Advise Anticipate Acknowledge Appreciate Avoid Bear Begin Complete Consider Defer Delay Deny Discuss Dislike Enjoy Entail Finish Forget Hate Intend Involve Justify Keep Like Love Mention Mind Miss Postpone Practice Prefer Quit Recall Recollect Recommend Regret Resent Resist Risk Sanction Start Stop Suggest Tolerate Try Examples of Verbs Followed…

What is a gerund? Gerunds are verbals that function as nouns and have an –ing ending. Gerund examples: I am waiting. (Present Participle) (This is the present continuous. “Waiting” here is part of the verb. It is not a gerund.) I don’t like waiting. (Gerund) (This is present simple, but it contains a gerund. “Waiting” is the direct object of this sentence.) How to Use…

The following verbs list in English are followed by the infinitives: Afford I can’t afford to spend any more money this week. Agree Why did you agree to meet her in the first place? Aim We aim to increase the speed of delivery. Appear Police say there appear to be signs of a break-in. Attempt Are you going to attempt to pass the exam? Ask Historians frequently ask to consult the…

What is the Bare Infinitive? The zero (bare) infinitive is a type of complement with an infinitive verb form that’s not preceded by the particle to. Also known as the bare infinitive. Uses of the Bare Infinitive After Modal Auxiliary Verbs Will, shall, would, could, can (but not be able to), may, might, must (but not have to), should (but not ought to), and needn’t, (but not need to, which behaves like…

What is an infinitive? An infinitive is a verbal consisting of to + a verb, and it acts like a subject, direct object, subject complement, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are easy to identify because they’re written with to + a verb. Infinitive examples: To give To run To wait Although an infinitive is easy to locate because of the to + verb form, deciding…

Must Have + Past Participle Usage: Express a deduction about something that has happened. We feel quite sure about it. Examples: I didn’t hear her voice . She must have gone out. I cannot find my watch; I must have lost it. Can’t Have + Past Participle Usage: Describe a deduction about something that didn’t happen in the past…

Ability can be expressed using modal verbs and phrases. Present Forms | Modals of Ability Be able to Form: Is/am/are(not) able to + main verb Usage: This form may be used in positive or negative, for general or specific ability. Modal verb examples: James is able to cook steak. David is not able to cook steak. Can/Can’t Form: Can/Can’t + main verb Usage:…