As a specific verb form in English, the past participle is usually formed by adding “-ed” to regular verbs or using the third column of irregular verb tables. However, many learners still find it confusing to form and use the past participle correctly across different contexts.
In this article, IDP summarizes everything you need to know about the past participle — including how to form it, how to use it, and a set of exercises with answers to help reinforce your learning.
1. What Is the Past Participle?
The past participle is a verb form created by adding “-ed” to regular verbs or using the third form of irregular verbs.
Examples:
Against all odds, he finished the work.
No one believed that I graduated from RMIT with a good degree.
2. How to Form the Past Participle
You can form the past participle by adding -ed to the base form of regular verbs. However, irregular verbs do not follow this rule, so you must memorize them through frequent practice.
Regular Verbs: Add “-ed”
Examples:
Work → Worked
Talk → Talked
Wish → Wished
Special spelling rules for regular verbs:
Verb Ending | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
Ends in “e” | Add “-d” | use → used |
Ends in “c” | Add “k” before “-ed” | traffic → trafficked |
Ends in consonant + “y” | Change “y” to “i”, add “-ed” | cry → cried |
Ends in vowel + “y” | Just add “-ed” | stay → stayed |
One syllable, vowel + consonant | Double consonant, add “-ed” | stop → stopped |
Multisyllabic verb with stress on last syllable | Double consonant, add “-ed” | prefer → preferred |
Irregular Verbs: Use the Third Form
Irregular verbs don’t follow rules. You must memorize their past participle form.
Base Verb | Past | Past Participle | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
be | was/were | been | to be |
begin | began | begun | to start |
break | broke | broken | to break |
buy | bought | bought | to buy |
come | came | come | to come |
do | did | done | to do |
eat | ate | eaten | to eat |
fly | flew | flown | to fly |
go | went | gone | to go |
know | knew | known | to know |
sing | sang | sung | to sing |
swim | swam | swum | to swim |
write | wrote | written | to write |
3. How to Use the Past Participle in a Sentence
The past participle is often used in perfect tenses, but it can also act as an adjective, appear in passive voice, or be part of a reduced relative clause.
3.1. In Perfect Tenses
The past participle is used in present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect tenses.
Present perfect: Structure: Subject + have/has + past participle
Prices have gone through the roof.
He has studied Chinese for years.
Past perfect: Structure: Subject + had + past participle
The builders had finished and gone home early.
He had not washed for days and was beginning to smell.
Future perfect: Structure: Subject + will have + past participle
We will have finished our schoolwork by next year.
Most of us will have taken part in the census.
3.2. As an Adjective
The past participle can be used as an adjective to express feelings or emotions.
Examples:
He is interested in mystic rites and ceremonies.
She is tired of being in the spotlight.
3.3. In Passive Voice
In passive constructions, the past participle is used after a form of the verb to be.
Structure: to be + past participle
Examples:
The hymn was written by an obscure Greek composer.
Another chance is opened up for you.
3.4. In Reduced Relative Clauses
Use the past participle in a reduced clause when the original clause is in passive voice.
Examples:
She told me about the present which was sent by her boyfriend last night. → She told me about the present sent by her boyfriend last night.
The T-shirt which was sold yesterday is my favorite. → The T-shirt sold yesterday is my favorite.
4. Difference Between Present and Past Participles
Although they may look similar, present and past participles are used differently.
Feature | Past Participle | Present Participle |
|---|---|---|
Form | V-ed / Third form | V-ing |
Tense Usage | Perfect tenses | Continuous tenses |
Grammatical Role | Main verb in perfect tenses | Main verb in continuous tenses |
Adjective Function | Describes feelings caused by something | Describes ongoing characteristics |
Passive Voice | Yes | No |
Reduced Clause | Passive reduction | Active reduction |
5. Past Participle Exercises
Exercise 1: Rewrite the following sentences using present or past participles
A beautiful girl was sitting next to me on the train. I don't talk to her much. → I didn’t talk much to the ... Answer: I didn’t talk much to the beautiful girl sitting next to me on the train.
A taxi was taking my family to the airport. It was badly damaged. Answer: The taxi taking my family to the airport was badly damaged.
There is a shop at the end of this street. That shop sells very good Korean food. Answer: At the end of the street there’s a shop selling very good Korean food.
A factory has just opened in the town. It employs 250 people. Answer: A factory employing 250 people has just opened in the town.
The company sent me a brochure. It contained important confidential information. Answer: The company sent me a brochure containing important confidential information.
Exercise 2: Choose the correct past participle or adjective
She likes the film so much. It’s really (amazed / amazing). → amazing
It’s a (terrifying / terrified) experience. We will never forget it. → terrifying
My brother reads a (fascinating / fascinated) book. → fascinating
People easily get (embarrassed / embarrassing) when they cannot express themselves. → embarrassed
Many immigrants feel (hindered / hindering) by economic difficulties. → hindered
My sister felt (disappointed / disappointing) when her visa was denied. → disappointed
We used to go (fishing / fished) when we were teenagers. → fishing
Many athletes are (excited / exciting) when chosen for the national team. → excited
Master English Grammar with IDP
We hope this guide helps you understand the past participle and how to apply it confidently in exercises and real IELTS tests. To check your English level, you can register for a free IELTS mock test with IDP or even take the computer-based test from home if you cannot attend a test center.
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