Editing Esperanto grammar (section)

===Adjectival participles===
[[File:Toddler running and falling.jpg|thumb|''Falonta'', ''falanta'' and ''falinta''.]]
The basic principle of the participles may be illustrated with the verb ''fali'' (to fall). Picture a cartoon character running off a cliff and hanging in the air for a moment. As it hangs in the air, it is ''fal'''o'''nta'' (about to fall). As it drops, it is ''fal'''a'''nta'' (falling). After it hits the ground, it is ''fal'''i'''nta'' (fallen).

Active and passive pairs can be illustrated with the transitive verb ''haki'' (to chop). Picture a woodsman approaching a tree with an axe, intending to chop it down. He is ''hak'''ont'''a'' (about to chop) and the tree is ''hak'''ot'''a'' (about to be chopped). While swinging the axe, he is ''hak'''ant'''a'' (chopping) and the tree ''hak'''at'''a'' (being chopped). After the tree has fallen, he is ''hak'''int'''a'' (having chopped) and the tree ''hak'''it'''a'' (chopped).

Adjectival participles agree with nouns in number and case, just as other adjectives do:
:''ili ŝparis la arbojn '''hakotajn''''' (they spared the trees [that were] '''to be chopped down''').