Download Participles + Participial Phrases

Participles + Participial
Phrases
Just ‘cause it looks like a verb…
…doesn’t mean it’s functioning as a
verb!
When a verb form is used as a noun, an
adjective, or an adverb, is it called a
verbal.
Participles
form of a verb that ACTS as an
adjective
two most common forms of participles:
present participle and past participle
You can tell the difference between the
two by their endings!
Present Participle
 Ends in -ing
The limping hiker favored her aching ankle.
The winning team celebrated on Thursday.
My father wants a diving board for the pool.
Past Participle
 Ends in –ed, -en, -t
Confused, Nan returned to her interrupted work.
She served me burnt toast.
You should put your name on your written work.
What do participles DO?
Participles (like other adjectives) answer
the question What kind? or Which one?
about the nouns/pronouns they modify.
Irma’s shining eyes betrayed her excitement.
What kind of eyes?
The shattered window needs replacement.
Which window?
Less common participle form
You may see participles with a linking
verb(present perfect form)
Having decided, Madeline acted quickly.
Being greeted by his friends, Frank shakes
hands all around.
How to tell verbs from participles
Ask yourself about the word’s function in
the sentence.
A verb shows action, a condition or the
fact that something exists.
A participle modifies a noun or pronoun.
Verb or Participle?
The snarling dog attacked the plumber.
The dog is snarling at the plumber.
The mimes delight their audience.
Delighted, the audience applauded the
mimes.
Verb or Participle?
1. The plane has been delayed by snow.
2. A growing child needs a healthy diet.
3. You can find what you need on the
following pages.
4. Brilliant red roses were growing by the
fence.
5. The white car was following too closely.
6. The painted house looked wonderful.
Participial Phrase
Participial Phrase participle + noun,
adverb, adverbial phrase, prepositional
phrase
Function 
whole thing ACTS like an adjective to
some noun/pronoun in the sentence
Participial Phrase
Traveling quickly, we completed the trip.
Traveling at breakneck speed, we
completed the trip.
Avoiding stops, we completed the trip.
Do you set it off with commas?
Just like with appositive phrases, participial
phrases are OFTEN set off by commas.
The test to know if you do use
commas…s the information in the phrase
ESEENTIAL or NONESSENTIAL information?
Essential  NO COMMAS
Nonessential  COMMAS
Do you set it off with commas?
Essential  NO COMMAS
Nonessential  COMMAS
There is Craig standing at the bus stop.
The boy standing at the bus stop is Craig.
The mural painted in 1497 is the one being
repaired.
Painted in 1497 the mural is Leonardo’s
masterpiece.
1. All the food cooked in that café is
homemade.
2. Found at a garage sale, the statue was
in good shape.
3. Katie is the girl sweeping the floor.
4. Looking worn out, they rested.
5. Excited by the flashing lights, the dog
began to bark.
6. The tree growing beside the back door is a
maple.
7. The cat, rubbing against the chair leg,
purred contentedly.
8. Our house, shaded by trees, stays cool in
the summer.
9. They boarded the bus packed with tourists.
10. Having spotted a wave, the surfers began
paddling.