1. A participle is a word formed from a verb. Participle Phrases. If we took the participle phrases out, each of the examples above would still mean the same thing, just with less descriptive detail. Known amount (know is an irregular verb) A participial phrase is a participle and all of the modifiers that go with it. Examples (the While the sentence absolutely works grammatically, some may misread that the job is feeling discouraged, instead of the sister. I was sitting on the ground in a shady corner. A participial phrase always functions as an adjective in the sentence. We can form phrases using present, past, perfect, and passive perfect participles—each one changes the way the noun is modified. I saw Arthur running for the bus. We can correct this dangling modifier either by adding I to the sentence or by replacing the participial phrase with an adverb clause: A gerund is a verbal that also ends in "ing," just like participles in the present tense. Otherwise, we run the risk of errors known as, In the above sentence, the participle phrase, Because the sentence does not state who was walking down the road, is seems that it was, Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary. In these participle examples, you'll see they can be used as adjectives, nouns, or as part of a compound verb in English. However, if a participle phrase occurs in the middle position and is, If the participle phrase occurs in the final position, However, when it occurs in final position but, When we use participle phrases as adjectives, it’s important that the noun modified is clearly stated and that the phrase appears as close to it as possible. Examples of present participles The guy hiding behind the door is from a different class. If we use the present participle in a phrase, we give the phrase an, If we use the past participle to form an adjectival phrase, the noun being modified is either given a, If we want to describe a noun that was passively, This is similar to how past participle phrases are used, but the emphasis is placed on the first action happening further in the past. If the noun/pronoun that the participle phrase describes is Where can a participle phrase appear in a sentence? Although participial phrases can be an effective tool, beware. Does the relationship make sense? Fond of brushing her hair, Kelly always had smooth and silky locks. What kind of participle phrase indicates a noun that is acted upon (not the agent of the participle’s action)? Study the following examples: Knocking at the door, he demanded admission. participle phrase is underlined): If the noun/pronoun that the participle phrase describes is However, a gerund will always function as a noun whereas a participle will not. A participle may be followed by an adverb, a prepositional phrase, an adverb clause, or any combination of these. She showed us a plate of scones crammed with cream. the past and looking forward to the future. (adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({}); Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses. They are set off by commas and function the same way adjectives do in a sentence. We met a girl carrying a basket full of vegetables. https://www.learngrammar.net/a/examples-of-participial-phrase Participial phrases consist of a participle along with all of its modifiers and complements. (When a sentence is structured this way, use a comma to separate the participle phrase from whatever it's modifying (the professor in this example).) verb is underlined): In the following A painted doll = a doll which is painted. If the sentence still makes grammatical sense, you've got a gerund clause: If not, it's a participial phrase. from English Participle Phrases to Learn to Write in English, Return to The doctor prepared to puncture my arm with a needle. "The gamblers silently arranged their cards. Phrases are groups of words, without both a subject and a verb, functioning as a single part of speech. Dr. Richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks. This kind of problem is called a dangling modifier, dangling participle, or misplaced modifier. When the phrase occurs in the middle position, and is. Identify what kind of participle phrase is used in the following sentence:“Having worked all her life, Susanne was ready to enjoy her retirement.”. In these participle examples, you'll see they can be used as adjectives, nouns, or as part of a compound verb in English. Participle Phrases vs. Gerunds. The first dishwasher was driven by a steam engine. https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Participle-Phrases.htm, When they function as adjectives, participles can form. For instance, you wouldn't want the following sentences: Here the participial phrase refers to the doctor when it should refer to I—a pronoun that's not in the sentence. It usually follows the noun or pronoun which it describes. googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.defineSlot('/53015287/really-learn-english.com_d_300x250_3',[300,250],'div-gpt-ad-1407836030099-0').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();googletag.enableServices();}); Join our mailing list now and get a special bonus: First 2 chapters of the English Short Stories Book and Workbook. 1. finish line and won the race, Stories and Exercises to Practice Grammar. NOT right before it – use a comma. 6. A participial phrase is a group of words beginning with a participle – in the present tense, the base form of a verb plus an –ing ending. To make it clear that this description is integral to the sentence’s meaning, we do not use commas to … A participial phrase is a phrase that starts with a participle (verb) and includes modifiers, objects, and/or complements. The dishwasher was invented by an Indiana housewife. Verb: to swim; Present participle: swimming; Gerund: swimming; Example of present participle in use: The swimming pool is heated for the summer. Copyright © 2010-2020 Really-Learn-English.com. Words that function as participles also function as verbs and sometimes as gerund phrases, so you cannot just assume that every -ing word or -ed word is a participle. Jenny waved the flashlight over her head. You must make sure that the word is functioning as an adjective in the sentence. English Home Page. The boat, moving toward the dock, carried soldiers returning … A participle phrase also acts like an adjective. We use MailChimp as our marketing automation platform. Examples of Participle phrases 1. The participial phrase contains a participle and the other words in the phrase that modify the noun or pronoun.