Present ParticipleParticipe Présent

Also know as the gerund, the present participle is the equivalent of the ~ing form of a verb in English.

More precisely, it is the adverb form of a verb, in that it describes how an action is happening or caused.

It is commonly used with the verb être to form the present progressive tense. An example is:

   Je suis mangeant.
   I am eating.

Read more about French verb tenses and moods.