Lesson 228 - 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 flag flapped against the pole. The flag was twisted by the wind.

2. The cat clawed wildly in self-defense. The cat was cornered by two dogs.

3. The food was completely destroyed. It had been covered by the flood for two weeks.

4. Dr. Doolittle commanded the bee to stop the noise. He was annoyed by the humming.

5. We had planned a party for our boss. We were pleased with our bonuses.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Twisted by the wind, the flag flapped against the pole.

2. Cornered by two dogs, the cat clawed wildly in self-defense.

3. Having been covered by the flood for two weeks, the food was completely destroyed.

4. Annoyed by the humming, Dr. Doolittle commanded the bee to stop the noise.

5. Pleased with our bonuses, we had planned a party for our boss.

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