The participle is a verbal adjective—it can modify nouns while retaining verbal properties. Greek participles are extremely common and versatile.
Uses of participles: • Attributive: "the writing man" (ὁ γράφων ἀνήρ) • Circumstantial: time, cause, means, concession ("while writing...") • Supplementary: completing the meaning of certain verbs • Genitive absolute: independent clause with subject in genitive
Participles decline like adjectives and agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case.
Common endings (present active): • Masculine: -ων, -οντος • Feminine: -ουσα, -ούσης • Neuter: -ον, -οντος