Definition: An impersonal inflected verb form that combines with auxiliary verbs and can sometimes function as an adjective. In both English and Spanish, there are two types of participles: present participles and past participles. In English, present participles typically end in "-ing," while in Spanish they typically end in -ando, -endo, -ante or -ente.
In English, the present participle also can combine with forms of "to be" to make the progressive tenses, as can the -ando and -endo present participles.
In English, the past participles typically end in "-ed," while in Spanish, regular past participles end in -ado or -ido.
Also Known As: Participio in Spanish.
Examples: Boldface words are participles: We have bought the broken car. (Hemos comprado el coche roto.) He can't adapt to the changing times. (No puede adaptarse a los tiempos cambiantes.) We are eating now. (Estamos comiendo ahora.)
