英语中的分词分两种：现在分词(the present participle)和过去分词(the past participle)。虽然它们在句子中都可作名词修饰语、接系动词补足语、宾语补足语等，但是它们形式不同，而且语义也有差别。
现在从四方面举例说明。
⒈现在分词表示动作是主动的和正在进行的(例①-③);过去分词的动作是被动的和完成的(例④-⑥)：
① The boiling water is hot.
② A sleeping baby is good to look at.
③ She has a smiling face.
④ You can use the boiled water to make tea.
⑤ Where is my lost key源北京安通(antong.org)学校?
⑥ A broken mirror cannot be repaired.
有时，由于两个动词“异词同义”，其分词也跟着不同 ，如：
⑦a. Have you seen the man wearing a T-shirt?
b. Who is the man dressed in a blue shirt?
⑧a. His new book consisting of useful data has been well received.
b. Do you like the book made up of untrue stories?
⒉在语义上，现在分词和过去分词反映的心理状态不同。前者有 “令人……”的含义(见例⑨);过去分词则有“感到……”的意思(见例⑩)：
⑨ The soccer match last night was thrilling.(令人紧张)
⑩ The soccer fans were delighted.(感到高兴)
其他例子有：
● amazing: amazed;
● annoying: annoyed;
● boring: bored源北京安通(antong.org)学校;
● confusing: confused;
● surprising: surprised;
● terrifying: terrified
试比较11a和b以及12a和b:
11a. This is the most confusing system I have ever seen.
11b. The children will get confused if asked to learn too much at a time.
12a. David came with some surprising news.
12b. All were surprised at Sam's sudden resignation.
⒊在作宾语补足语时，如果宾语是有关分词逻辑上的主语，就用现在分词，如：
13. The teacher found a student dozing off.
14. Don't keep the visitor waiting.
如果宾语和有关分词有“动词 宾语”关系，那么这个分词就要是过去分词了，如：
15. Where did you get your book printed?
16. You should have your office whitewashed.
在13里，正在打瞌睡的是宾语“a student”; 在14里，宾语是 “the visitor”。15里，“printed”的宾语是“books”; 16里， “whitewashed”的宾语是“his office”。
4.分词短语相当于副词从句，但现在式表示的是主动的行动，如例，过去式表示被动的行动，如：
17 Entering the room, she found the wall newly painted.
18 Written in haste, the essay had some errors.