Past participles
Definition
A past participle is a non-finite verb form used after have in perfect constructions, after be/get in passive constructions, and in many adjective-like or reduced-clause uses. Regular participles usually end in -ed, while irregular forms include written, gone, broken, and seen.
Examples
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Maya has finished the report.
The participle follows has in the present perfect.
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The report was finished yesterday.
The participle follows was in a passive construction.
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The broken window needs replacing.
The participle modifies the noun window.
Simple past vs. past participle
Leo wrote the email.
Wrote is the finite past-tense form.
Leo has written the email.
Written follows the auxiliary has.
Regular verbs often have identical past and participle forms, but many irregular verbs use different forms.
Participles can be verbal or adjective-like
Some participles remain part of a verb phrase, while others describe a resulting state or modify a noun. Context and accompanying auxiliaries help show the function.
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The door was closed by the guard.
The by phrase supports a passive-event interpretation.
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The door remained closed all night.
Here closed describes the state of the door.
Common mistakes
She has wrote the email.
She has written the email.
After perfect have, use the past participle written.
The window was broke.
The window was broken.
The passive requires the past participle broken, not the simple past broke.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence uses an irregular past participle correctly?
The past participle of take is taken.Which sentence contains a passive past participle?
Deleted follows was in a passive construction.Which word is the past participle in Leo has written the report?
Written is the irregular past participle of write.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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