Английского

participle is revealed in its association with the modified verbs. 
The self-positional present participle, in the proper syntactic ar-
rangements, performs the functions of the predicative (occasional 
use, and not with the pure link be), the attribute, the adverbial 
modifier of various types. Cf.: 
The questions became more and more irritating. (Present participle 
predicative position) She had thrust the crucifix on to the surviving 
baby. (Present participle attributive 

---

112
front-position) Norman stood on the pavement like a man watching 
his loved one go aboard an ocean liner. (Present participle attribu-
tive back-position) He was no longer the cocky, pugnacious boy, 
always squaring up for a fight. (Present participle attributive back-
position, detached) She went up the steps, swinging her hips and 
tossing her fur with bravado. (Present participle manner adverbial 
back-position) And having read in the papers about truth drugs, of 
course Gladys would believe it absolutely. (Present participle cause 
adverbial front-position) 
The present participle, similar to the infinitive, can build up semi-
predicative complexes of objective and subjective types. The two 
groups of complexes, i.e. infinitival and present participial, may 
exist in parallel (e.g. when used with some verbs of physical per-
ceptions), the difference between them lying in the aspective pres-
entation of the process. Cf.: 
Nobody noticed the scouts approach the enemy trench. — Nobody 
noticed the scouts approaching the enemy trench with slow, cau-
tious, expertly calculated movements. Suddenly a telephone was 
heard to buzz, breaking the spell. — The telephone was heard 
vainly buzzing in the study. 
A peculiar use of the present participle is seen in the absolute parti-
cipial constructions of various types, forming complexes of de-
tached semi-predication. Cf.: 
The messenger waiting in the hall, we had only a couple of minutes 
to make a decision. The dean sat at his desk, with an electric fire 
glowing warmly behind the fender at the opposite wall. 
These complexes of descriptive and narrative stylistic nature seem 
to be gaining ground in present-day English.