Be Careful Of Past Participles

Past participles can cause confusion in structure questions on the TOEFL test because a past participle can be either an adjective or a part of a verb. The past participle is the form of the verb that appears with have or be. It often ends in -ed, but there are also many irregular past participles in English. (See Appendix F for a list of irregular past participles.)

The family has purchased (VERB) a television.

The poem was written (VERB) by Paul.

In the first sentence the past participle purchased is part of the verb because it is accompanied by has. In the second sentence the past participle written is part of the verb because it is accompanied by was.

A past participle is an adjective when it is not accompanied by some form of be or have.

The television purchased (ADJECTIVE) yesterday was expensive.

The poem written by Paul appeared (ADJECTIVE) in the magazine.

In the first sentence purchased is an adjective rather than a verb because it is not accompanied by a form of be or have (and there is a verb, was, later in the sentence). In the second sentence written is an adjective rather than a verb because it is not accompanied by a form of be or have (and there is a verb, appeared, later in the sentence).

The following example shows how a past participle can be confused with the verb in structure questions on the TOEFL test.

Example from the Paper and Computer TOEFL® Tests

The packages _ mailed at the post office will arrive Monday. (A) have (B) were (C) them (D) just

In this example, if you look only at the first few words of the sentence, it appears that packages is the subject and mailed is either a complete verb or a past participle that needs a helping verb. But if you look further in the sentence, you will see that the verb is will arrive. You will then recognize that mailed is a participial adjective and is therefore not part of the verb. Answers (A) and (B) are incorrect because mailed is an adjective and does not need a helping verb such as have or were. Answer (C) is incorrect because there is no need for the object them. Answer (D) is the best answer to this question.

The following chart outlines what you should remember about past participles:

PAST PARTICIPLES

A past participle often ends in -ed, but there are also many irregular past participles. For many verbs, including-ed verbs, the simple past and the past participle are the same and can be easily confused. The -ed form of the verb can be (1) the simple past, (2) the past participle of a verb, or (3) an adjective.

1. She painted this picture.

2. She has painted this picture.

3. The picture painted by Karen is now in a museum.