The Present Participle (-ende)
In Danish, the present participle is the equivalent of the English "-ing" form when used as an adjective or adverb. To form it, add -nde to the infinitive of the verb. For example, jonglere (to juggle) becomes jonglerende (juggling), and fløjte (to whistle) becomes fløjtende (whistling).
Adverbs of Manner with Motion
A common way to use the present participle is as an adverb of manner alongside a verb of motion (like running, walking, or coming). This describes how someone moves or what they are doing while moving.
Place the main verb of motion first, immediately followed by the present participle.
| The street performer walks juggling down the street. | Gøgleren går jonglerende ned ad gaden. |
| The clown comes whistling from the park. | Klovnen kommer fløjtende fra parken. |
Because the participle acts as an adverb here, its form never changes. It stays exactly the same regardless of the subject's number or the main verb's tense.
| The acrobat runs balancing on the wall. | Akrobaten løber balancerende på muren. |
| The clown ran drumming down to the beach. | Klovnen løb trommende ned til stranden. |
Adding Details
You will often see the present participle used with objects or prepositional phrases to paint a more vivid picture. The participle stays next to the main verb, while the extra details follow it.
| The acrobat comes swinging across the stage. | Akrobaten kommer svingende over scenen. |
| The clown runs waving his arms. | Klovnen løber viftende med armene. |
| The man comes stomping down the stairs. | Manden kommer trampende ned ad trappen. |
