Principal Parts of Verbs
November 8th
Four Principal Parts
- Present
- Present Participle
- Past
- Past Participle
Present
This is the present tense of the verb
I run to the field.
I catch the ball.
In this form the verb can be used by itself. The verb does not need a helping verb such as: am, is, are.
Present Participle
This form changes the verb by adding -ing and using a helping verb such as: am, is, are.
I am running to the field.
I am catching the ball.
If the verb ends with a vowel followed by a consonant, you double the consonant before adding -ing (run - running).
Past
This form can be used by itself as a verb. However, to make the verb past you must add -ed. If the verb ends in a vowel and a consonant, you double the consonant before adding -ed.
If the verb ends with a y, change the y to i before adding -ed. (cry - cried)
I cried when I hit my toe.
She carried the kitten home.
Past Participle
This form of the verb is in past tense, but also needs a helping verb such as: has, have, had.
I have cried when I hit my toe.
She had carried the kitten home.