: a participle that typically expresses present action in relation to the time expressed by the finite verb in its clause and that in English is formed with the suffix -ing and is used in the formation of the progressive tenses.

What is an example of a present participle?

Present participle

Adding -ing to the base form of a verb creates the present participle. For example, eat is the base form of the verb to eat. ... Other examples of present participles include swimming, laughing, and playing. The present participle can function as an adjective and modify nouns in sentences.

How do you use present participle?

When two actions occur at the same time, and are done by the same person or thing, we can use a present participle to describe one of them. When one action follows very quickly after another done by the same person or thing, we can express the first action with a present participle.