A participle is a non-predicate form of a verb.
Non-predicate verbs refer to the verb form that functions as a noun, adjective or adverb in a sentence, rather than as a predicate. The non-predicate forms of verbs are divided into gerunds, participles, and infinitives.
Climbing mountain is a good exercise. (Climbing..., the gerund acts as a noun)
Climbing mountain is a good exercise.
Do you know the man wearing a white shirt. (wearing ... participle functions as an adjective)
Do you know the man wearing a white shirt?
He gets up early to catch the first bus. (to catch .... the infinitive acts as an adverb)
He gets up early to catch the first bus.
The difference between predicate verbs and non-predicate verbs:
3) Predicate verbs can be used as predicates alone in a sentence, but non-predicate verbs cannot be used as predicates alone.
Miss Mary teaches us English.
Miss Mary teaches us English. (teaches verb as predicate)
Mr. Victor came to our classroom to have a talk with us last week.
Mr. Victor came to our classroom to have a talk with us last week.
(to have a talk.... The infinitive is used as an adverbial)
4) Predicate verbs are restricted by the person and number of the subject, but non-predicate verb forms have no such restrictions .
Larke likes the pop music.
Larke likes pop music.
(verb in third person singular form)
Larke has nothing to do today.
Larke has nothing to do today. (do uses the base form)
Characteristics of non-predicate verbs:
3. If the non-predicate verb is a transitive verb, it must be followed by an object.
Studying English is my favorite.
Studying English is my hobby. (studying followed by object)
To help him is my duty.
Helping him is my duty. (help followed by object)
4 Non-predicate verbs can have their own adverbials or logical subjects.
Working under such a condition is terrible.
Working under such a condition is terrible.
(under such a condition is the adverbial of working)
It's too difficult for him to master
English in such a short time.
It is too difficult for him to master English in such a short time.
(for him is the logical subject of the infinitive)
5 Non-predicate verbs still have changes in voice and tense.
I am sorry to have kept you waiting long.
I am sorry to have kept you waiting long.
(to have kept... is the perfect form of the infinitive)
Seen from the mountain, the city looks much more beautiful.
Seen from the mountain , the city is much more beautiful.
(Seen from... is the passive form of participle)
6 Non-predicate verbs can be used as nouns or adjectives in sentences.
Our coming made him happy.
Our coming made him happy. (coming acts as a noun)
There are two big swimming pools here.
There are two large swimming pools here.
(swimming functions as an adjective)