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?

　　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：来源：中大网校——成人英语三级考试网

　　● amazing: amazed;

　　● annoying: annoyed;

　　● boring: bored;

　　● 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.