Table of Contents
Introduction
In English grammar, the participle and participial phrase structures can bring variety and richness to your writing.
Mastering them helps improve sentence structure, making your writing clearer and more dynamic.
In this post, we will explore participles and participial phrases, how they work, and how you can use them effectively.
Participle and Participial Phrase
A participle is a verb form that functions as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun. When combined with other words like modifiers or complements, it forms a participial phrase, which provides additional detail about the subject in a sentence. Understanding how to use participles and participial phrases can add clarity and variety to your writing.
1. What is a Participle?
A participle is a verb form that can function as an adjective to describe a noun or pronoun. There are two types of participles: present participle and past participle.
- Present Participle: This form ends in -ing and describes an ongoing action.Example:
- “The running water was cold.”
(Here, the word running describes the water.)
- “The running water was cold.”
- Past Participle: This form usually ends in -ed, -en, or an irregular ending and describes an action that has been completed.Example:
- “The broken vase lay on the floor.”
(Here, broken describes the vase.)
- “The broken vase lay on the floor.”
2. What is a Participial Phrase?
A participial phrase is a group of words that starts with a participle and includes any complements or modifiers. This phrase works as an adjective, giving more information about a noun or pronoun.
Example:
- “Running through the park, I spotted a deer.”
The participial phrase “Running through the park” describes the action of the subject I.
The beauty of participial phrases is that they allow you to add detail and description to your sentences without using too many words. Let’s break down how to use them properly.
3. How to Form Participial Phrases
A participial phrase consists of:
- A participle (present or past),
- Modifiers (such as adverbs), and
- Complements (such as direct objects or prepositional phrases).
The phrase is typically placed either at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence to provide additional information about a noun or pronoun.
Example 1:
- Basic sentence: “The dog barked loudly.”
- With a participial phrase: “Barking loudly, the dog chased the squirrel.”
Here, the participial phrase “Barking loudly” describes the dog and is placed at the beginning of the sentence.
Example 2:
- Basic sentence: “She finished her homework.”
- With a participial phrase: “Finishing her homework, she decided to take a nap.”
In this case, “Finishing her homework” provides context to the main action of the sentence.
4. Common Uses and Placement in Sentences
Participial phrases can be placed in different parts of a sentence depending on what you want to emphasize.
- At the Beginning
When placed at the beginning of a sentence, the participial phrase provides an introductory description.- “Running towards the bus stop, Sarah realized she was late.”
- In the Middle
When inserted in the middle, it adds detail about the noun or pronoun it follows.- “The boy, smiling shyly, handed over his test paper.”
- At the End
When placed at the end, it adds detail that clarifies or elaborates on the main idea of the sentence.- “He stood by the door, watching the crowd pass by.”
Common Errors to Avoid
Even though participial phrases can enrich your sentences, they can cause confusion if used incorrectly. Two common errors are dangling participles and misplaced modifiers.
1. Dangling Participle
A dangling participle occurs when the participial phrase is not clearly connected to the noun it’s supposed to modify.
Incorrect:
- “Hiking through the woods, the birds chirped loudly.”
(Who is hiking here? The birds?)
Correct:
- “Hiking through the woods, I heard the birds chirping loudly.”
Now, it’s clear that I am the one hiking.
3. Misplaced Modifier
A misplaced modifier happens when the participial phrase is placed too far from the word it modifies, leading to confusion.
Incorrect:
- “She found a ring walking to the store.”
(This sounds like the ring is walking!)
Correct:
- “While walking to the store, she found a ring.”
Now, the sentence makes sense.
Participle and Participial Phrase: Practical Exercises
Here is an exercise to help you practice the use and form of the participle and participial phrase structures:
Complete the sentences with the correct participial phrase.
- ________, the students finished their homework quickly.
- A) Working together
- B) Worked together
- C) Being work together
- D) Worked hardly
- The woman, ________, walked slowly down the street.
- A) carried a large bag
- B) carrying a large bag
- C) carry a large bag
- D) carrying the large bags
- The car, ________, broke down in the middle of the road.
- A) driving fast
- B) drove fast
- C) driven fast
- D) driving quickly
- ________, I found my keys under the sofa.
- A) Searching the house
- B) Searched the house
- C) Search the house
- D) Searches the house
- The book, ________, was recommended by many readers.
- A) written by a famous author
- B) writing by a famous author
- C) written a famous author
- D) writing from a famous author
- ________, the boy didn’t notice the dog running past him.
- A) Playing video games
- B) Played video games
- C) Playing of video games
- D) Played on video games
- ________, the flowers added a bright splash of color to the garden.
- A) Bloomed brightly
- B) Blooming brightly
- C) Bloom brightly
- D) Blooming bright
FAQs About Participle and Participial Phrases
What is a participle and participial phrase? Can you provide examples?
A participle is a verb form that functions as an adjective. Present participles end in -ing (e.g., smiling), while past participles often end in -ed or -en (e.g., broken). A participial phrase includes the participle and its modifiers, such as in the sentence, “Running through the park, I saw a deer.”
What is the difference between a present participle and a present participial phrase?
A present participle is just the verb form ending in -ing (e.g., walking), while a present participial phrase includes the participle and any modifiers (e.g., “Walking quickly, she caught the bus.”).
What is the difference between a participle clause and a participial phrase?
A participle clause functions like a shortened adverbial clause, offering details about time, reason, or condition. For example, “Running late, she skipped breakfast” (providing a reason). In contrast, a participial phrase acts as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun. For instance, “The cat, sitting quietly by the window, watched the birds” (describing the cat).
How can I identify a participle?
Look for a verb form that acts as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun. Present participles typically end in -ing (e.g., running), while past participles often end in -ed or -en (e.g., broken).
What is the difference between participles and participial adjectives?
A participle is a verb form, while a participial adjective refers to a participle specifically used as an adjective. For instance, in “The burning fire,” burning is a participial adjective derived from a verb.
What is the difference between a participle and a participial phrase?
A participle is a single verb form (e.g., crying), while a participial phrase includes the participle along with its modifiers and complements (e.g., “Crying loudly, the baby got everyone’s attention.”).
Why is a participle called a participle?
The term participle comes from Latin “participium,” meaning “a sharing” or “participating,” as it shares qualities of both verbs and adjectives in a sentence.
What is the difference between a participle and an adverbial phrase?
A participle or participial phrase modifies a noun or pronoun, acting as an adjective, while an adverbial phrase modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb to provide information such as time, place, or manner.
Conclusion
Participles and participial phrases are powerful tools that can add richness and variety to your writing. By learning how to use them properly, you can make your sentences more descriptive and engaging. Practice with the exercises provided, and soon, you’ll be able to incorporate participial phrases into your writing with ease.
Additional Resources
- Understanding Adjectives: Learn more about how participles work as adjectives in sentences.
- Mastering Modifiers: Discover how modifiers can change the meaning of a sentence.