The Participle

Study Sheet

Recognize a participle when you see one.
Participles come in two varieties: past and present. They are two of the five forms or principal parts that every verb has. Look at the charts below.

Regular Verbs:
Verb Simple Present Simple Past Past Participle Present Participle Infinitive
giggle giggle(s) giggled giggled giggling to giggle
help help(s) helped helped helping to help
jump jump(s) jumped jumped jumping to jump

Irregular Verbs:
Verb Simple Present Simple Past Past Participle Present Participle Infinitive
bring bring(s) brought brought bringing to bring
ring ring(s) rang rung ringing to ring
sing sing(s) sang sung singing to sing
swim swim(s) swam swum swimming to swim

Notice that each present participle ends in ing. This is the case 100 percent of the time.

On the other hand, you can see that past participles do not have a consistent ending. The past participles of all regular verbs end in ed; the past participles of irregular verbs, however, vary considerably. If you look at bring and sing, for example, you'll see that their past participles—brought and sung—do not follow the same pattern even though both verbs have ing as the last three letters.

Consult a dictionary whenever you are unsure of a verb's past participle form.

Know the functions of participles.
Participles have three functions in sentences. They can be components of multipart verbs, or they can function as adjectives or nouns.

Participles in Multipart Verbs
A verb can have as many as four parts. When you form multipart verbs, you use a combination of auxiliary verbs and participles. Look at the examples below:

Our pet alligator ate Mrs. Olsen's poodle.

Ate = simple past tense [no participle].

With a broom, Mrs. Olsen was beating our alligator over the head in an attempt to retrieve her poodle.

Was = auxiliary verb; beating = present participle.

Our pet alligator has been stalking neighborhood pets because my brother Billy forgets to feed the poor reptile.

Has = auxiliary verb; been = past participle; stalking = present participle.

Our pet alligator should have been eating Gator Chow, crunchy nuggets that Billy leaves for him in a bowl.

Should, have = auxiliary verbs; been = past participle; eating = present participle.

Participles as Adjectives
Past and present participles often function as adjectives that describe nouns. Here are some examples:

The crying baby drew a long breath and sucked in a spider crouching in the corner of the crib.

Which baby? The crying baby. Which spider? The one that was crouching in the corner.

The mangled pair of sunglasses, bruised face, broken arm, and bleeding knees meant Genette had taken another spill on her mountain bike.

Which pair of sunglasses? The mangled pair. Which face? The bruised one. Which arm? The broken one. Which knees? The bleeding ones.

Participles as Nouns
Present participles can function as nouns—the subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, objects of prepositions, and subject complements in sentences. Whenever a present participle functions as a noun, you call it a gerund.

Take a look at these examples:

Sneezing exhausts Steve, who requires eight tissues and twenty-seven Gesundheits before he is done.

Sneezing = the subject of the verb exhausts.

Valerie hates cooking because scraping burnt gook out of pans always undermines her enjoyment of the food.

Cooking = the direct object of the verb hates.

We gave bungee jumping a chance.

Bungee jumping = indirect object of the verb gave.

Joelle bit her tongue instead of criticizing her prom date's powder blue tuxedo.

Criticizing = object of the preposition instead of.

Omar's least favorite sport is water-skiing because a bad spill once caused him to lose his swim trunks.

Water-skiing = the subject complement of the verb is.

Work Sheets:

Verbals - Participles
A participle is used as an adjective and ends in various ways. A present participle always ends with ing as does the gerund, but remember that it is an adjective. A past participle ends with ed, n, or irregularly. Examples: played, broken, brought, sung, seeing, having seen, being seen, seen, having been seen. Participles modify nouns and pronouns and can precede or follow the word modified. (Do not confuse participles that end in ing with gerunds. Participles are used as adjectives; gerunds are used as nouns.)

Find the participles in these sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. The bike had a broken spoke.

2. Her smiling face made everyone happy.

3. The frightened child was crying loudly.

4. The people were frightened by the growling dog.

5. The squeaking wheel needs some grease.



Answers

1. broken modifying spoke

2. smiling modifying face

3. frightened modifying child

4. growling modifying dog

5. squeaking modifying wheel

Verbals - Participles

A participle is used as an adjective and ends in various ways. A present participle always ends with ing as does the gerund, but remember that it is an adjective. A past participle ends with ed, n, or irregularly. Examples: played, broken, brought, sung, seeing, having seen, being seen, seen, having been seen. Participles modify nouns and pronouns and can precede or follow the word modified. (Do not confuse participles that end in ing with gerunds. Participles are used as adjectives; gerunds are used as nouns.)

A participial phrase is made up of a participle and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers) like the gerund. A participial phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Find the participial phrases in these sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. Taking my time, I hit the basket.

2. Shouting angrily, the man chased the thief.

3. Exhausted from the hike, Jim dropped to the ground.

4. Grinning sheepishly, the boy asked for a date.

5. Trying to open the gate, I tore my coat.



Answers

1. Taking my time modifies the subject I

2. Shouting angrily modifies the subject man

3. Exhausted from the hike modifies the subject Jim

4. Grinning sheepishly modifies the subject boy

5. Trying to open the gate modifies the subject I

Verbals - Participles

A participle is used as an adjective and ends in various ways. A present participle always ends with ing as does the gerund, but remember that it is an adjective. A past participle ends with ed, n, or irregularly. Examples: played, broken, brought, sung, seeing, having seen, being seen, seen, having been seen. Participles modify nouns and pronouns and can precede or follow the word modified. (Do not confuse participles that end in ing with gerunds. Participles are used as adjectives; gerunds are used as nouns.)

A participial phrase is made up of a participle and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers) like the gerund. A participial phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Find the participial phrases in these sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. The man running slowly still finished the race.

2. The boy having been scolded finally did his work.

3. The teacher, having retired, could now travel widely.

4. The soldier, having saluted his superior, continued on his way.

5. The truck swerving and sliding hit the brick wall.



Answers

1. running slowly modifies man

2. having been scolded modifies boy

3. having retired modifies teacher

4. having saluted his superior modifies soldier

5. swerving and sliding modifies truck

Verbals - Adjective Infinitives

An infinitive is to plus a verb form. It can be used as an adjective. Examples: to be, to see, to be seen, to be eaten.

A infinitive phrase is made up of a participle and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers) like the gerund. A infinitive phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Find the infinitive phrases in these sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. Your idea to spend the day together sounds great.

2. Joe is the man to see about the job.

3. We have no reason to doubt your sincerity.

4. This must be the best route to take.

5. Your attitude is the best attitude to have.



Answers

1. to spend the day together modifies idea

2. to see about the job modifies man

3. to doubt your sincerity modifies reason

4. to take modifies route

5. to have modifies attitude

Verbals - Participles/Adjective Infinitives

A participle is used as an adjective and ends in various ways. A present participle always ends with ing as does the gerund, but remember that it is an adjective. A past participle ends with ed, n, or irregularly. Examples: played, broken, brought, sung, seeing, having seen, being seen, seen, having been seen. Participles modify nouns and pronouns and can precede or follow the word modified. (Do not confuse participles that end in ing with gerunds. Participles are used as adjectives; gerunds are used as nouns.)

A participial phrase is made up of a participle and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers) like the gerund. A participial phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

An infinitive is to plus a verb form. It can be used as an adjective. Examples: to be, to see, to be seen, to be eaten.

A infinitive phrase is made up of a participle and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers) like the gerund. A infinitive phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Find the participles and the participial and infinitive phrases in these sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. The money lying on the dresser is yours.

2. The crying child awakened everyone.

3. The heavy package to be sent was quickly loaded.

4. Hearing the noise, the girl was suddenly afraid.

5. There are several things to be considered first.



Answers

1. lying on the dresser modifies money

2. crying modifies child

3. to be sent modifies package

4. Hearing the noise modifies girl

5. to be considered first modifies things


Quiz - Verbals - Participles/Adjective Infinitives

Find the infinitives, participles, and the participial and infinitive phrases in these sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. My attempts to comfort the lost boy were useless.

2. Having been left behind, the puppy gave a whining howl.

3. The exhausted men were given the signal to start the march.

4. The admired musician wants a person to study with him.

5. The screaming fans cheered their fighting team.

6. The droning lecture caused the students' heads to nod.

7. Having finished our work, we now had time to play.



Answers

1. to comfort the lost boy modifies attempts; lost modifies boy

2. Having been left behind modifies puppy; whining modifies howl

3. exhausted modifies men; to start the march modifies signal

4. admired modifies musician; to study with him modifies person

5. screaming modifies fans; fighting modifies team

6. droning modifies lecture; to nod modifies heads

7. Having finished our work modifies we; to play modifies time


Verbals - Participles/Adjective Infinitives

A participle is used as an adjective and ends various ways. A present participle always ends with ing as does the gerund, but remember that it is an adjective. A past participle ends with ed, n, or irregularly. Examples: played, broken, brought, sung, seeing, having seen, being seen, seen, having been seen. Participles modify nouns and pronouns and can precede or follow the word modified. (Do not confuse participles that end in ing with gerunds. Participles are used as adjectives; gerunds are used as nouns.)

A participial phrase is made up of a participle and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers) like the gerund. A participial phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Participial phrases are useful in combining pairs of sentences.

Combine the following sentences using a participial phrase following the word it modifies.

1. The woman fed the pigeons. The woman was sitting on the park bench.

2. Jeanne finished the painting last month. The painting was hanging on the wall.

3. I really liked the blue sports car. The car was sitting in the showroom.

4. That man makes jewelry. He is getting into his car.

5. I carefully wrapped the package to be sure it was done correctly. The package was lying on the desk.



Answers

1. The woman sitting on the park bench fed the pigeons.

2. Last month Jeanne finished the painting hanging on the wall.

3. I really liked the blue sports car sitting in the showroom.

4. That man getting into his car makes jewelry.

5. I carefully wrapped the package lying on the desk to be sure it was done correctly.



Verbals - Participles/Adjective Infinitives
A participle is used as an adjective and ends various ways. A present participle always ends with ing as does the gerund, but remember that it is an adjective. A past participle ends with ed, n, or irregularly. Examples: played, broken, brought, sung, seeing, having seen, being seen, seen, having been seen. Participles modify nouns and pronouns and can precede or follow the word modified. (Do not confuse participles that end in ing with gerunds. Participles are used as adjectives; gerunds are used as nouns.)

A participial phrase is made up of a participle and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers) like the gerund. A participial phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Participial phrases are useful in combining pairs of sentences.

Combine the following sentences using a participial phrase at the beginning of the sentence.

1. The thief pried strenuously at the window. He was grasping the crowbar with both hands.

2. The doctor examined the new patient. The doctor was hoping to find the problem.

3. The comedian took a final bow. The comedian was waving at the audience.

4. Ann sang quietly to herself. She was taking a shower.

5. The horse pranced and whirled in circles. He was approaching the starting gate.



Answers

1. Grasping the crowbar with both hands, the thief pried strenuously at the window.

2. Hoping to find the problem, the doctor examined the new patient.

3. Waving at the audience, the comedian took a final bow.

4. Taking a shower, Ann sang quietly to herself.

5. Approaching the starting gate, the horse pranced and whirled in circles.




Verbals - Participles/Adjective Infinitives

A participle is used as an adjective and ends various ways. A present participle always ends with ing as does the gerund, but remember that it is an adjective. A past participle ends with ed, n, or irregularly. Examples: played, broken, brought, sung, seeing, having seen, being seen, seen, having been seen. Participles modify nouns and pronouns and can precede or follow the word modified. (Do not confuse participles that end in ing with gerunds. Participles are used as adjectives; gerunds are used as nouns.)

A participial phrase is made up of a participle and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers) like the gerund. A participial phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Participial phrases are useful in combining pairs of sentences.

Combine the following sentences using a participial phrase at the beginning of the sentence.

1. The flag flapped against the pole. The flag was twisted by the wind.

2. The cat clawed wildly in self-defense. The cat was cornered by two dogs.

3. The food was completely destroyed. It had been covered by the flood for two weeks.

4. Dr. Doolittle commanded the bee to stop the noise. He was annoyed by the humming.

5. We had planned a party for our boss. We were pleased with our bonuses.



Answers

1. Twisted by the wind, the flag flapped against the pole.

2. Cornered by two dogs, the cat clawed wildly in self-defense.

3. Having been covered by the flood for two weeks, the food was completely destroyed.

4. Annoyed by the humming, Dr. Doolittle commanded the bee to stop the noise.

5. Pleased with our bonuses, we had planned a party for our boss.



- Verbals - Participles/Adjective Infinitives
A participle is used as an adjective and ends various ways. A present participle always ends with ing as does the gerund, but remember that it is an adjective. A past participle ends with ed, n, or irregularly. Examples: played, broken, brought, sung, seeing, having seen, being seen, seen, having been seen. Participles modify nouns and pronouns and can precede or follow the word modified. (Do not confuse participles that end in ing with gerunds. Participles are used as adjectives; gerunds are used as nouns.)

A participial phrase is made up of a participle and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers) like the gerund. A participial phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Participial phrases are sometimes misplaced in a sentence causing confusion.

Rewrite the following sentences placing the participial phrases where they should be.

1. Carl served me a malt dressed in his new uniform.

2. We found our cat walking home from school.

3. I was stung by a bee pruning my trees.

4. They found an antique store looking for a place to eat.

5. The package was delivered by the mailman wrapped with red paper.


Answers

1. Dressed in his new uniform, Carl served me a malt.

2. Walking home from school, we found our cat.

3. Pruning my trees, I was stung by a bee.

4. Looking for a place to eat, they found an antique store.

5. The package, wrapped with red paper, was delivered by the mailman.

(There are several ways to combine the sentences.)


Verbals - Participles/Adjective Infinitives

A participle is used as an adjective and ends various ways. A present participle always ends with ing as does the gerund, but remember that it is an adjective. A past participle ends with ed, n, or irregularly. Examples: played, broken, brought, sung, seeing, having seen, being seen, seen, having been seen. Participles modify nouns and pronouns and can precede or follow the word modified. (Do not confuse participles that end in ing with gerunds. Participles are used as adjectives; gerunds are used as nouns.)

A participial phrase is made up of a participle and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers) like the gerund. A participial phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Participial phrases sometimes appear to modify a word that they cannot logically modify. The word it should modify does not appear in the sentence.

Rewrite the following sentences by rearranging the words or by adding a word or words to make them clear and logical.

1. Looking over the outlook, the canyon seemed magnificent.

2. Typing my research paper, the keys jammed.

3. Playing the piano, my dog started to howl.

4. Eating lunch, the doorbell rang.

5. Having walked several miles, my new shoes hurt.


Answers

1. Looking over the outlook, I saw a magnificent canyon.

2. Typing my research paper, I jammed the keys.

3. Playing the piano, I caused my dog to start to howl.

4. Eating lunch, she heard the doorbell ring.

5. Having walked several miles, I had sore feet from my new shoes.

(You must add a word to be the subject.)


Quiz - Participles

Combine these sentences using a participial phrase.

1. I strolled down the lane. I was enjoying the fragrant air.

2. My dog wanted his meal. He was begging at my feet.

3. The contestant crossed her fingers for luck. She hoped it was the right answer.

4. The paramedic leaned over the victim. He was checking for vital signs.

5. The man shouted for help. He was hanging on the side of the boat.

Rewrite these sentences so the participial phrase is used correctly.

6. Drinking in gulps, the pitcher was emptied.

7. Convinced of my honesty, I was allowed to leave.

8. Watching the sunset, the evening was beautiful.

9. Hanging in the closet, I found my new suit.

10. We saw several caves walking through the mountains.


Answers

1. Enjoying the fragrant air, I strolled down the lane.

2. Begging at my feet, my dog wanted his meal.

3. Hoping it was the right answer, the contestant crossed her fingers for luck.

4. Checking for vital signs, the paramedic leaned over the victim.

5. Hanging on the side of the boat, the man shouted for help.

6. Drinking in gulps, I emptied the pitcher.

7. Convinced of my honesty, the police allowed me to leave.

8. Watching the sunset, I found the evening beautiful.

9. I found my new suit hanging in the closet.

10. Walking through the mountains, we saw several caves.