Every verb has two participles, both of which can function as adjectives. The -ing (present) participle has an active meaning as in the sentence, The chief's mean looks and frightening cries scared Wasis to tears. Notice that this participial adjective comes from the verb to frighten as in the sentence, The chief's cries frightened the baby. Frightened is an active verb and the present participle always has an active meaning.

The -ed (past) participle, on the other hand, has a passive meaning as in this sentence: Wasis was frightened by the chief's fierce cries. You can always think of the past participle as a feeling or state of mind that results from some cause or stimulus. That is why many verbs are called the stative passive; they describe a state or condition that is the result of a stimulus and always modify the subject. In the sentence above, frightened modifies Wasis.

Practice: Below are four participial adjectives. Where would you place them in the sentences that follow? Ask yourself if the participle has an active or passive meaning within the context of the sentence.

1. The _________________ baby was ______________ by the chief's commands.

2. The __________________ baby was _____________ by the chief's singing and dancing.

Be aware of present and past participles as adjectives as you read through the folktales. Open the following link and practice using past participles as adjectives.

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