Meaning

(grammar) Of, relating to, or being a participle..

Definitions by Sense

1. (grammar) Of, relating to, or being a participle.
2. (grammar, dated) A non-finite verb.
3. A participial word.

Example Sentences

[…] the verb has two forms, which […] are called Participials, namely, (a) The Infinitv […] (b) The Participle […] .

§ 280. A Participial is a derived form of the verb used not for asserting but for expressing either, — 1. An object of thought; or, 2. A modification of such an object. Participials, accordingly, are either, — 1. Noun-participials; as, "To think is to act;" "Their sending the messacre was the cause of the trouble;" or, 2. Adjective-participials, more commonly called Participles; as, "The advancing army;" "The expected messenger."

To have a short appellation, let us call participles and infinitives participials. Among all the myriads of words, a more skillful, many-sided and hard-working class than this could hardly be found, and still—such is the world's reward—they are strangers in a strange land forced to live with their aristocratic cousins, the "finite" verbs. For participials are not verbs in reality.

Word Forms

• participials

Synonyms for participial

Related Words

When Should You Use Participial?

Use participial when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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