Participles and Participle phrases worksheet - Free Printable

Let’s go through each sentence one by one. Remember:
- A participle is a verb form used as an adjective (like “barking” in “the barking dog”).
- A participial phrase includes the participle + any modifiers or complements, and it acts like an adjective too.
- You need to circle the participle if it’s acting as an adjective.
- If that participle is part of a bigger group of words (a phrase), then underline the whole phrase.

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1. Iced in white, the cookies looked like snowmen.
→ “Iced” is a past participle describing “cookies.” The full phrase “Iced in white” tells us more about the cookies → so underline the whole phrase.
✔ Circle: *Iced* | Underline: *Iced in white*

2. The complaining man was introduced to the manager.
→ “Complaining” describes “man” → it’s a present participle used as an adjective. No extra words attached directly to it here — just “complaining man.”
✔ Circle: *complaining* | No underlining needed (not a full phrase)

3. Listening to music, she walked briskly down the street.
→ “Listening” is a present participle. But it’s part of the phrase “Listening to music,” which describes “she.” So this is a participial phrase.
✔ Circle: *Listening* | Underline: *Listening to music*

4. Opening the package, she gasped.
→ “Opening” is a present participle. It’s part of “Opening the package,” which describes “she.” That’s a participial phrase.
✔ Circle: *Opening* | Underline: *Opening the package*

5. The squealing little children were enjoying themselves.
→ “Squealing” describes “children” → it’s a participle used as an adjective. Just “squealing” — no extra words making it a phrase.
✔ Circle: *squealing* | No underlining

6. Reading a book, Helen spent the whole day on the sofa.
→ “Reading” is a present participle. “Reading a book” describes “Helen” → that’s a participial phrase.
✔ Circle: *Reading* | Underline: *Reading a book*

7. Yawning, Kelly made her way to bed.
→ “Yawning” is a present participle describing “Kelly.” Only one word — not a full phrase.
✔ Circle: *Yawning* | No underlining

8. Sitting up uncomfortably, Joe tried to get some sleep.
→ “Sitting” is a present participle. “Sitting up uncomfortably” describes “Joe” → that’s a participial phrase.
✔ Circle: *Sitting* | Underline: *Sitting up uncomfortably*

9. Crouched on the carpet, the cat looked warily around the room.
→ “Crouched” is a past participle describing “cat.” “Crouched on the carpet” is the full phrase modifying “cat.”
✔ Circle: *Crouched* | Underline: *Crouched on the carpet*

10. Regretting her decision, she watched her daughter go.
→ “Regretting” is a present participle. “Regretting her decision” describes “she” → participial phrase.
✔ Circle: *Regretting* | Underline: *Regretting her decision*

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Final Answer:

1. Circle: Iced — Underline: Iced in white
2. Circle: complaining
3. Circle: Listening — Underline: Listening to music
4. Circle: Opening — Underline: Opening the package
5. Circle: squealing
6. Circle: Reading — Underline: Reading a book
7. Circle: Yawning
8. Circle: Sitting — Underline: Sitting up uncomfortably
9. Circle: Crouched — Underline: Crouched on the carpet
10. Circle: Regretting — Underline: Regretting her decision