Participles and Participial Phrases Worksheet | PDF | Language ... - Free Printable
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Step-by-step solution for: Participles and Participial Phrases Worksheet | PDF | Language ...
Absolutely! Let’s solve this worksheet step by step.
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A participle is a verb form that acts like an adjective. There are two main types:
- Present participles: end in *-ing* (e.g., *laughing*, *running*)
- Past participles: often end in *-ed*, *-en*, or irregular forms (e.g., *chosen*, *burned*, *wrapped*)
---
A participial phrase includes the participle + any modifiers or complements (like prepositional phrases, adverbs, etc.). The whole phrase functions as an adjective — it describes a noun or pronoun.
> 💡 Key Tip: Look for a verb form (ending in -ing or past tense) that comes before or after a noun and modifies it — that’s your participle or participial phrase!
---
Now let’s go sentence by sentence and underline the correct participial phrase (or participle if no modifiers).
---
---
1. Laughing, Dave rescued the whining puppy from the high bed.
→ Underline: “Laughing”
*Explanation:* “Laughing” is a present participle modifying “Dave.” It tells us *how* Dave was feeling while rescuing. “Whining” is also a participle modifying “puppy,” but since the instruction says “underline the participle or participial phrase in each sentence,” and only one is typically expected per sentence, we choose the first one — unless specified otherwise. But technically, both are participles. However, since “whining” is part of the direct object phrase, and “Laughing” introduces the sentence describing Dave, we’ll underline “Laughing” as the primary participial phrase.
> ⚠️ Note: Some might argue to underline both. But standard practice for this type of worksheet is to underline the *first* or most prominent participial phrase. We'll stick with “Laughing” for clarity.
---
2. Chosen by the selection committee, Cindy felt extremely honored.
→ Underline: “Chosen by the selection committee”
*Explanation:* “Chosen” is a past participle. The entire phrase “Chosen by the selection committee” modifies “Cindy.” It explains *why* she felt honored.
---
3. Leaping over the hurdles, Cindy appeared as graceful as an antelope.
→ Underline: “Leaping over the hurdles”
*Explanation:* “Leaping” is a present participle. The phrase describes *how* Cindy appeared — by leaping over hurdles.
---
4. The burned brownies did not satisfy my chocolate craving.
→ Underline: “burned”
*Explanation:* “Burned” is a past participle acting as an adjective describing “brownies.” No extra modifiers needed — just the single word.
---
5. Running quickly, the policeman caught the burglar.
→ Underline: “Running quickly”
*Explanation:* “Running” is a present participle; “quickly” modifies it. Together, they describe the policeman’s action.
---
6. After tripping on my shoes, my mother demanded that I put them away.
→ Underline: “tripping on my shoes”
*Explanation:* “Tripping” is a present participle. The phrase “tripping on my shoes” modifies “my mother.” Even though it starts with “After,” the participial phrase is still “tripping on my shoes.”
> 🔍 Note: “After tripping…” is a prepositional phrase starting with a gerund, but grammatically, “tripping” here functions as part of a participial phrase modifying the subject (“my mother”).
---
7. Before applying for this job, I need to read the requirements carefully.
→ Underline: “applying for this job”
*Explanation:* “Applying” is a present participle. The phrase modifies “I” — it tells us *when* I need to read the requirements.
---
8. Wrapped in crispy bacon, the green beans were delicious.
→ Underline: “Wrapped in crispy bacon”
*Explanation:* “Wrapped” is a past participle. The whole phrase describes the green beans.
---
9. Having completed the training program, Henry was ready to go to work.
→ Underline: “Having completed the training program”
*Explanation:* “Having completed” is a perfect participle (a type of present participle showing prior action). It modifies “Henry.”
---
10. Unprepared for the bad news, the family burst into tears.
→ Underline: “Unprepared for the bad news”
*Explanation:* “Unprepared” is a past participle (adjective form). The phrase modifies “the family.” Note: “unprepared” is derived from “prepare,” so it’s a participle used adjectivally.
---
11. Being the best on my team, I was shocked when Jim was chosen as the captain.
→ Underline: “Being the best on my team”
*Explanation:* “Being” is a present participle. The phrase modifies “I” — it gives background info about the speaker.
---
12. Jill and Terrie tired from working out decided to take a nap.
→ Underline: “tired from working out”
*Explanation:* “Tired” is a past participle. The phrase modifies “Jill and Terrie.” “From working out” adds detail — so the whole thing is the participial phrase.
> 💡 Note: This sentence is slightly awkward without a comma — it should ideally be: *“Jill and Terrie, tired from working out, decided...”* — but for the purpose of this exercise, we treat “tired from working out” as the participial phrase.
---
13. Abandoned animals need somebody to take care of them.
→ Underline: “Abandoned”
*Explanation:* “Abandoned” is a past participle modifying “animals.” Simple adjective form.
---
14. The swinging door makes scary noises in the night.
→ Underline: “swinging”
*Explanation:* “Swinging” is a present participle modifying “door.” It describes the type of door.
---
15. Being held for ransom, the kidnap victims waited to be rescued.
→ Underline: “Being held for ransom”
*Explanation:* “Being held” is a passive present participle phrase. It modifies “the kidnap victims.”
---
## ✔ Final Answer Key (Underlined Phrases):
1. Laughing
2. Chosen by the selection committee
3. Leaping over the hurdles
4. burned
5. Running quickly
6. tripping on my shoes
7. applying for this job
8. Wrapped in crispy bacon
9. Having completed the training program
10. Unprepared for the bad news
11. Being the best on my team
12. tired from working out
13. Abandoned
14. swinging
15. Being held for ransom
---
## 🧠 Bonus Tip for Students:
To find participial phrases, ask yourself:
> “What noun or pronoun does this verb-like phrase describe?”
If you can answer that, you’ve found your participial phrase!
---
✔ You’re all set! This worksheet helps you recognize how verbs can act like adjectives — a key skill in understanding complex sentences and improving writing.
Let me know if you’d like a printable version or quiz to test yourself!
---
📘 What is a Participle?
A participle is a verb form that acts like an adjective. There are two main types:
- Present participles: end in *-ing* (e.g., *laughing*, *running*)
- Past participles: often end in *-ed*, *-en*, or irregular forms (e.g., *chosen*, *burned*, *wrapped*)
---
📗 What is a Participial Phrase?
A participial phrase includes the participle + any modifiers or complements (like prepositional phrases, adverbs, etc.). The whole phrase functions as an adjective — it describes a noun or pronoun.
> 💡 Key Tip: Look for a verb form (ending in -ing or past tense) that comes before or after a noun and modifies it — that’s your participle or participial phrase!
---
Now let’s go sentence by sentence and underline the correct participial phrase (or participle if no modifiers).
---
✔ Answers with Explanations
---
1. Laughing, Dave rescued the whining puppy from the high bed.
→ Underline: “Laughing”
*Explanation:* “Laughing” is a present participle modifying “Dave.” It tells us *how* Dave was feeling while rescuing. “Whining” is also a participle modifying “puppy,” but since the instruction says “underline the participle or participial phrase in each sentence,” and only one is typically expected per sentence, we choose the first one — unless specified otherwise. But technically, both are participles. However, since “whining” is part of the direct object phrase, and “Laughing” introduces the sentence describing Dave, we’ll underline “Laughing” as the primary participial phrase.
> ⚠️ Note: Some might argue to underline both. But standard practice for this type of worksheet is to underline the *first* or most prominent participial phrase. We'll stick with “Laughing” for clarity.
---
2. Chosen by the selection committee, Cindy felt extremely honored.
→ Underline: “Chosen by the selection committee”
*Explanation:* “Chosen” is a past participle. The entire phrase “Chosen by the selection committee” modifies “Cindy.” It explains *why* she felt honored.
---
3. Leaping over the hurdles, Cindy appeared as graceful as an antelope.
→ Underline: “Leaping over the hurdles”
*Explanation:* “Leaping” is a present participle. The phrase describes *how* Cindy appeared — by leaping over hurdles.
---
4. The burned brownies did not satisfy my chocolate craving.
→ Underline: “burned”
*Explanation:* “Burned” is a past participle acting as an adjective describing “brownies.” No extra modifiers needed — just the single word.
---
5. Running quickly, the policeman caught the burglar.
→ Underline: “Running quickly”
*Explanation:* “Running” is a present participle; “quickly” modifies it. Together, they describe the policeman’s action.
---
6. After tripping on my shoes, my mother demanded that I put them away.
→ Underline: “tripping on my shoes”
*Explanation:* “Tripping” is a present participle. The phrase “tripping on my shoes” modifies “my mother.” Even though it starts with “After,” the participial phrase is still “tripping on my shoes.”
> 🔍 Note: “After tripping…” is a prepositional phrase starting with a gerund, but grammatically, “tripping” here functions as part of a participial phrase modifying the subject (“my mother”).
---
7. Before applying for this job, I need to read the requirements carefully.
→ Underline: “applying for this job”
*Explanation:* “Applying” is a present participle. The phrase modifies “I” — it tells us *when* I need to read the requirements.
---
8. Wrapped in crispy bacon, the green beans were delicious.
→ Underline: “Wrapped in crispy bacon”
*Explanation:* “Wrapped” is a past participle. The whole phrase describes the green beans.
---
9. Having completed the training program, Henry was ready to go to work.
→ Underline: “Having completed the training program”
*Explanation:* “Having completed” is a perfect participle (a type of present participle showing prior action). It modifies “Henry.”
---
10. Unprepared for the bad news, the family burst into tears.
→ Underline: “Unprepared for the bad news”
*Explanation:* “Unprepared” is a past participle (adjective form). The phrase modifies “the family.” Note: “unprepared” is derived from “prepare,” so it’s a participle used adjectivally.
---
11. Being the best on my team, I was shocked when Jim was chosen as the captain.
→ Underline: “Being the best on my team”
*Explanation:* “Being” is a present participle. The phrase modifies “I” — it gives background info about the speaker.
---
12. Jill and Terrie tired from working out decided to take a nap.
→ Underline: “tired from working out”
*Explanation:* “Tired” is a past participle. The phrase modifies “Jill and Terrie.” “From working out” adds detail — so the whole thing is the participial phrase.
> 💡 Note: This sentence is slightly awkward without a comma — it should ideally be: *“Jill and Terrie, tired from working out, decided...”* — but for the purpose of this exercise, we treat “tired from working out” as the participial phrase.
---
13. Abandoned animals need somebody to take care of them.
→ Underline: “Abandoned”
*Explanation:* “Abandoned” is a past participle modifying “animals.” Simple adjective form.
---
14. The swinging door makes scary noises in the night.
→ Underline: “swinging”
*Explanation:* “Swinging” is a present participle modifying “door.” It describes the type of door.
---
15. Being held for ransom, the kidnap victims waited to be rescued.
→ Underline: “Being held for ransom”
*Explanation:* “Being held” is a passive present participle phrase. It modifies “the kidnap victims.”
---
## ✔ Final Answer Key (Underlined Phrases):
1. Laughing
2. Chosen by the selection committee
3. Leaping over the hurdles
4. burned
5. Running quickly
6. tripping on my shoes
7. applying for this job
8. Wrapped in crispy bacon
9. Having completed the training program
10. Unprepared for the bad news
11. Being the best on my team
12. tired from working out
13. Abandoned
14. swinging
15. Being held for ransom
---
## 🧠 Bonus Tip for Students:
To find participial phrases, ask yourself:
> “What noun or pronoun does this verb-like phrase describe?”
If you can answer that, you’ve found your participial phrase!
---
✔ You’re all set! This worksheet helps you recognize how verbs can act like adjectives — a key skill in understanding complex sentences and improving writing.
Let me know if you’d like a printable version or quiz to test yourself!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of participle and participial phrases worksheet.
