THE VERBAL: PARTICIPLES AND PARTICIPIAL PHRASES A verbal LOOKS like a verb but acts like something else.

Participial phrases are a type of verbal phrase.

TERMS

Verbal

Participle

Present Participle

Past Participle

Participial Phrase

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.

nouns

adjectives

adverbs

disguised

as

verbs

PARTICIPLES

A participle is a form of a verb that ACTS as an adjective.

The two most common forms of participles: present participle and past participle.

You can tell the difference between the two by their endings!

UNDERLINE THE PRESENT PARTICIPLE

Ends in -ing

1. The sleeping cat woke up in surprise.

2. The limping jazzerciser massaged her aching ankle.

3. The winning team celebrated on Thursday.

4. My father wants a diving board for the pool.

5. The moving, grooving prancercise lady really knows how to shake it!

UNDERLINE THE PAST PARTICIPLE

Ends in –ed, -en, -t

1. Squished on the counter, my pug loaf continued to rest.

2. She served me burnt, toasted pug loaf.

3. You should put your name on your written recipes.

4. Amused by her silly dog, the baker returned to her interrupted 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 an auxiliary verb to create the present perfect form:

1. Having decided, Madeline acted quickly.

2. Being greeted by his friends, Frank shakes hands all around.

3. Having studied, the student decided that he loved participles.

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.

= adjective = participle

The mimes delighted their audience.

Delighted, the audience applauded the mimes.

= action = verb

VERB OR PARTICIPLE?

1. The white car was following too closely.

verb

2. The plane has been delayed by snow.

3. A growing child needs a healthy diet.

4. You can find what you need on the following pages.

5. Brilliant red roses were growing by the fence.

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.

[present participle + adverb] + independent clause

Traveling at breakneck speed, we completed the trip.

[p. part + {adv. prep phrase}] + independent clause

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: Is the information in the phrase ESSENTIAL 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 artwork painted in 1503 is the one being repaired.

Painted in 1503, the artwork is Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece.

PARTICIPLE AND PARTICIPIAL PHRASE PRACTICE

1. All the food cooked in that café is semi-homemade by Sandra Lee.

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.

past participle + (adverbial) prep. phrase

past participle + (adverbial) prep. phrase

present participle + noun

PARTICIPLE AND PARTICIPIAL PHRASE PRACTICE

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.

TEST OUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE…

Participial Phrase Game: http://www.quia.com/rr/437758.html