PARTICIPLES &
PARTICIPIAL PHRASES
• A verb form that is used as an
ADJECTIVE.
– PAST or PRESENT
– End in –ing, -d, -ed, –en, -t
PARTICIPLES &
PARTICIPIAL PHRASES
• Participles can be found at the beginning,
middle, or end of a sentences, but they
MUST BE relatively close to the noun or
pronoun they modify.
• Participles are ONE WORD.
• Participial phrases consist of that ONE
WORD plus modifiers (all the words that
refer to that participle).
PARTICIPLES &
PARTICIPIAL PHRASES
STEPS to finding the
participle or participial phrase
1. Find the subject.
2. Find the real verb.
3. Look for other words that look like verbs
(word endings are the clue).
EXAMPLE #1
The pouring rain drove us inside for the party.
– “Pouring” is the participle
– It describes rain.
• Avoid getting the participle confused with
the REAL verb – in this case “drove.”
EXAMPLE #2
Known for her patience, Mrs. Williams was
his favorite teacher.
– “known” is the participle
– “for her patience” is the modifier
– This phrase describes Mrs. Williams.
• Subject and REAL verb: Mrs. Williams was
EXAMPLE #3
The marine biologist, diving near a reef, saw
a shark.
“diving” is the participle
“near a reef ” is the modifier
This phrase describes the biologist.
Subject and real verb: biologist saw
PARTICIPLES &
PARTICIPIAL PHRASES
Twirling their canes,
the dancers tapped
across the stage.
PARTICIPLES &
PARTICIPIAL PHRASES
She heard me sighing
loudly.
Participial phrases may have
modifiers such as adverbs.
PARTICIPLES &
PARTICIPIAL PHRASES
A peeled and sliced
cucumber can be
added to a garden
salad.
PRACTICE…
• The bike had a broken spoke.
• Her smiling face made everyone
happy.
• The frightened child was crying
loudly.
• The people were frightened by the
growling dog.
• The squeaking wheel needs some
grease.
PRACTICE…
• The man running slowly still finished
the race.
• The boy having been scolded finally
did his work.
• The teacher, having retired, could now
travel widely.
• The soldier, having saluted his
superior, continued on his way.
• The truck swerving and sliding hit the
brick wall.