TOEFL Structure Skill 4: Past Participles

TOEFL Structure Skill 4: Past Participles 

Past participles can cause confusion in the Structure section of the TOEFL test because a past participle can be either an adjective or a part of the 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.

                     The mailman has left a letter in the mailbox.

                                           VERB

                                         

                     The classes were taught by Professor Smith.

                                            VERB

In the first sentence, the past participle left is part of the verb because it is accompanied by has. In the second sentence, the past participle taught is part of the verb because it is accompanied by were.

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

 

                     The letter left in the mailbox was for me.

                            ADJECTIVE

 

                     The classes taught by Professor Smith were very interesting.

                                    ADJECTIVE

In the first sentence, left 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, taught is an adjective rather than a verb because it is not accompanied by a form of be or have (and there is a verb, were, later in the sentence).

            The following example shows how a past participle can be confused with the verb in the Structure section of the TOEFL test.

 

Example

 

The bread _____ baked this morning smelled delicious.

(A) has

(B) was

(C) it

(D) just

In this example, if you look only at the first few words of the sentence, it appears that bread is the subject and baked 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 the verb smelled. You will then recognize that baked is a participial adjective and is therefore not part of the verb. Answers (A) and (B) are incorrect because baked is an adjective and does not need a helping verb such as has or was. Answer (C) is incorrect because there is no need for the subject it. Answer (D) is the best answer to this question.

The following chart outlines the key information that you should remember about objects of prepositions.

 

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.

EXERCISE 4: Each of the following sentences contains one or more past participles. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the past participles, and label them as adjectives or verbs. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

 _____ 1. The food is served in this restaurant is delicious.

          VERB

_____ 2. The plane landed on the deserted runway.

         ADJ

 

_____ 3. The unexpected guests arrived just at dinnertime.

 _____ 4. The courses are listed in the catalogue are required courses.

 _____ 5. The teacher found the lost exam.

 _____ 6. The small apartment very crowded and disorganized.

 _____ 7. The photographs developed yesterday showed Sam and his friends.

 _____ 8. The locked drawer contained the unworn jewels.

 _____ 9. The tree was blown over in the storm was cut into logs.

 _____ 10. The students registered in this course are listed on that sheet of paper.

Key:

1. I - double verb (is served and is)

2. C  

3. C 

4. I - double verb (are listed and are)

5. C

6. I - missing verb (could be apartment is)

7. C 

8. C

9. I - double verb (was blown and was cut)

10. C

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