Lesson 227 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals - Participles

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A participle is a verbal and is used as an adjective. Participles end in various ways. They nouns and pronouns and can precede or follow the word they modify.

 

A present participle always ends with ing as does the gerund, but remember that it is an adjective.  A past participle ends with ed, n, or irregularly.

 

Examples:

played, broken, brought, sung, seeing, having seen, being seen, seen, having been seen

A participial phrase is made up of a participle and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers) like the gerund. A participial phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Participial phrases are useful in combining pairs of sentences.

Instructions: Combine the following sentences using a participial phrase at the beginning of the sentence.

1. The thief pried strenuously at the window. He was grasping the crowbar with both hands.

2. The doctor examined the new patient. The doctor was hoping to find the problem.

3. The comedian took a final bow. The comedian was waving at the audience.

4. Ann sang quietly to herself. She was taking a shower.

5. The horse pranced and whirled in circles. He was approaching the starting gate.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Grasping the crowbar with both hands, the thief pried strenuously at the window.

2. Hoping to find the problem, the doctor examined the new patient.

3. Waving at the audience, the comedian took a final bow.

4. Taking a shower, Ann sang quietly to herself.

5. Approaching the starting gate, the horse pranced and whirled in circles.

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