A participle is a form of a verb that can function as an adjective, describing a noun. There are two main types of participles: present participles, which end in “-ing” (e.g., running), and past participles, which often end in “-ed” or have irregular forms (e.g., broken). Participles help add detail and context to sentences. In addition to their adjectival use, participles can also be part of verb phrases. For example, in the sentence “She is running fast,” the present participle “running” helps form the continuous tense. Participles are essential for creating various verb tenses and enhancing sentence structure.