DISCOVERING GRAMMAR / 13 The present participle always ends in ‘-ing’. To form a finite verb, introduce it by using the auxilary verb ‘to be’. The past or present tense of this verb is used and the finite verb becomes the present progressive or past progressive tense. Remember that a finite verb can consist of more than one word. Ian is helping his mother. (present progressive tense) I am writing a letter. (present progressive tense) Julie was doing her homework. (past progressive tense) They were watching the cricket. (past progressive tense) The present participle can also be used as a noun and in this case it is called a gerund : Shopping is fun. The wailing was continuous. The past participle is used with the auxiliary verb ‘to have’; it then forms a finite verb. Either the present or the past tense of the verb ‘to have’ can be used. It will depend on the context. Look at the following examples. The past participles are underlined. She had scratched her arm. He had passed his examination. Using the present participle Recognising the gerund Using the past participle