What is a participle?

Definition
	A participle is a lexical item, derived from a verb, that has some of the characteristics and functions of both verbs and adjectives.
	The adjectival form of the term participle is participial.

Examples (English)
	In English, participles may be used as adjectives, and in nonfinite forms of verbs.
	Here are some examples of participles:
	'He ate a boiled egg for breakfast.' 'I like to see smiling faces.' 'You are singing a good song.' 'I have exercised.' 'He has eaten dinner already.' 'She got a bad sunburn while playing in the pool.'

Sources
	Crystal 1991 251
	Neufeldt 1991 985

Context for this page:

Concept module: participle
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): P
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

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