Present participles and past participles,
which are used in verb phrases, can also function as adjectives.
Present participle used in
a verb phrase: Marie is surprising her
son with a new bicycle for his birthday.
Present participle used as an
adjective: Marie made a surprising
statement in class yesterday.
Past participle used in a verb
phrase: For years my brother has bored
us with stories about his dog.
Past participle used as an adjective: We are so bored we don't
know what to do.
Present participles used as adjectives usually describe
the source of a feeling. Past participles used as adjectives usually
describe the feeling the person has inside.
Present participles used to
describe the source of a feeling: Darius thinks that
old buildings are interesting. Some of the things
they show on television are shocking.
Present participles used to describe
the feeling a person has inside: Darius is interested
in old buildings. I am shocked by some
of the things I see on television.
PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 1
USING ADVERBS
RULE
2:
Do not place adverbs between
verbs and their direct objects.
