Participial Phrase Practice
Exercise Directions: Circle the participle and underline the participial phrase in each of the
following sentences.
1. Working in the lab, the scientist created a robot.
2. Early films were still pictures projected on a wall.
3. Pictures moving across the screen came later.
4. Food sealed in cans was given to the campers.
5. Sitting in the freezer, the caveman stayed fresh.
6. Coming into the room, the boy threw his books on the desk.
7. Joe, searching for the code, was really excited.
8. The store sold baked goods packaged in edible tinfoil.
9. Pork and beans canned in tomato sauce is my favorite.
10. Relaxing on his back patio, Jeff fell asleep.
11. Stock traders investing in foreign markets have enjoyed a 40% yield this year.
12. The first city attacked by the troops was in the middle of the desert.
13. Some plants growing at an angle can straighten themselves up.
14. Three teenagers treated in the emergency room yesterday required stitches.
15. The ski run covered with the most new powder attracted huge crowds of skiers.
16. The reporter describing the fiesta didn't reveal all of the colorful details.
17. The restaurant served potatoes baked in a special salt shell.
18. The Red Cross sent helpers to all the countries stricken by the tsunami.
19. The game scheduled for Tuesday was moved up to Monday.
20. The horse terrified by the barking chihuahua bucked and reared.
Several Participial Questions from: 8thla.edublogs.org/files/2010/.../Participial-Phrase-Practice-1i3urny.d...
Gerund questions from: http://www.sacs.k12.in.us/school155/images/files/b18_file1824_27632.pdf
Underline each gerund or gerund phrase. In the blank to the right of each
sentence, write S if the gerund phrase is the subject, C for a complement (in a sentence with a linking verb), DO
for a direct object, or OP for an object of a preposition (a noun in a prepositional phrase).
1. The circus performer’s most popular feat was juggling seven bottles at once. ________
2. Commercial fishing must be regulated to prevent depletion of fish populations. ________
3. The doctors were leery of increasing the dosage of the patient’s medication. ________
4. The teacher suggested reading the poem at least twice. ________
5. The company prospers by producing software for a variety of businesses. ________
6. An inventor’s major concern is creating an invention that actually works. ________
7. Giving to charity is encouraged by most religions. ________
8. By exercising regularly, people can improve their mental and physical health. ________
9. Writing novels under an assumed name was not unusual in the 19th century. ________
10. Mechanization has dramatically altered traditional farming. ________
Gerund and Participial Phrase mix up. Underline the phrase, and in the blank at the end of the sentence,
identify it as a Gerund or Participial phrase.
1. Representing the junior class was her job as a member of the student senate. ________
2. The dog scratching his fleas did not notice the squirrel run by. ________
3. The only problem is finding someone. ________
4. Wanting to win the snail taming contest, I sought out wild snails. ________
5. You can manage large amounts of information by using a computer. ________
6. I was ready to see my enemy cornered and scared. ________
7. César enjoys playing guitar with a rock band. ________
8. Searching for underwater wrecks is a dangerous occupation. ________
9. Searching for underwater wrecks, Bobby-Sue found a treasure chest. ________
10. You can access that Web page by clicking here. ________
11. Hauling the large rocks from the riverbank quickly lost its appeal for Jan. ________
12. Kevin considered raising his grades by at least a point. ________
13. I spent the evening yodeling my favorite songs. ________
14. Fenton, texting during class, did not get the difference between participial phrases and gerund phrases. ________
15. Julia was inspired to create her own quilt after viewing the craft exhibit. ________
Several Participial Questions from: 8thla.edublogs.org/files/2010/.../Participial-Phrase-Practice-1i3urny.d...
Gerund questions from: http://www.sacs.k12.in.us/school155/images/files/b18_file1824_27632.pdf