Participle Phrase

Participial Phrase

• Includes a participle and all the other words that complete its meaning.

• It is used as an adjective and can appear before or after the word it modifies.

• Place the phrase as close as possible to the modified word to avoid unclear meaning.

• A participial phrase placed at the beginning of a sentence is set off with a comma.

• Other participial phrases may or may not need commas, depending on whether or not they are essential to the meaning of the sentence.

Examples

• The girl throwing the water balloon is Tammy DiGiovanni.

• Tammy, throwing the water balloon, aimed at the target.

• Running quickly after Tammy, I threw the balloon back.

• Tammy, scared of getting wet, hid behind a bush.

Practice

• Blackie, catching the stick in mid-air, trotted proudly back to Steve.

1. Surprised by our gift of a new winter coat, grandmother began to cry for joy.

2. The lot, filled with cars, was enormous.3. The box of fruit containing pears, apples, and

oranges arrived at the door.4. Homeless families often stayed at a shelter

operated by a local church.

Practice

5. Carrying plenty of water, we set out for the summit of the mountain.

6. Did they see the train coming around the bend?

7. Urged on by the fans, the basketball team began its comeback.

8. The tall man wearing the gray suit is a judge.

9. That newspaper blowing all over the yard is a real mess.