In which of the following sentences is a past participle used?
By Saturday, Tom had watched every comedy he owned.*
Tom is watching sci-fi and action movies this week.
Tom watched 15 movies in just one week.
My brother Tom watches movies very frequently.
In order to determine which of the sentences contains a past participle, let's first understand what a past participle is. A past participle is a verb form that is often used to form various verb tenses, such as the past perfect tense, present perfect tense, and passive voice.
To identify the past participle in a sentence, we look for a verb form that typically ends in "-ed," "-d," "-en," or "-t," although irregular verbs may have different forms.
Now, let's analyze the given sentences:
1. By Saturday, Tom had watched every comedy he owned.
The verb "watched" is a past participle in this sentence. It describes an action that was completed in the past.
2. Tom is watching sci-fi and action movies this week.
In this sentence, the verb "watching" is not a past participle. It is a present participle form, indicating an ongoing action in the present.
3. Tom watched 15 movies in just one week.
The verb "watched" is a simple past tense form in this sentence. It is not a past participle because it does not show a perfect tense or passive voice.
4. My brother Tom watches movies very frequently.
The verb "watches" is a present tense form, without any past participle use.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "By Saturday, Tom had watched every comedy he owned."