Participles and Participle phrases worksheet - Free Printable
Educational worksheet: Participles and Participle phrases worksheet. Download and print for classroom or home learning activities.
JPG
1000×1291
143.3 KB
Free · Personal Use
Quality Assured by Worksheets Library Team
Reviewed for educational accuracy and age-appropriateness
ID: #704879
⭐
Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Participles and Participle phrases worksheet
▼
Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Participles and Participle phrases worksheet
Let's solve the worksheet step by step.
---
We are to:
- Circle each participle used as an adjective.
- If the participle is part of a participial phrase, we must underline the entire phrase.
A participle is a verb form used as an adjective (e.g., *barking*, *grown*).
A participial phrase includes the participle plus its modifiers or complements (e.g., *grown by Wanda*).
---
Now, let’s go through each sentence:
---
1. Iced in white, the cookies looked like snowmen.
- "Iced" is a past participle used as an adjective modifying "cookies".
- The phrase "Iced in white" includes the participle and its complement ("in white").
- ✔ Underline: *Iced in white*
- ✔ Circle: *Iced*
---
2. The complaining man was introduced to the manager.
- "complaining" is a present participle used as an adjective modifying "man".
- It has no modifiers or complements — just the participle.
- ✔ Circle: *complaining*
- ✘ No underlining (not a phrase)
---
3. Listening to music, she walked briskly down the street.
- "Listening" is a present participle used as an adjective modifying "she".
- It has a complement: "to music".
- So this is a participial phrase.
- ✔ Underline: *Listening to music*
- ✔ Circle: *Listening*
---
4. Opening the package, she gasped.
- "Opening" is a present participle modifying "she".
- It has a direct object: "the package".
- This forms a participial phrase.
- ✔ Underline: *Opening the package*
- ✔ Circle: *Opening*
---
5. The squealing little children were enjoying themselves.
- "squealing" is a present participle modifying "children".
- It is used as an adjective describing the children.
- No modifiers or complements attached.
- ✔ Circle: *squealing*
- ✘ No underlining
---
6. Reading a book, Helen spent the whole day on the sofa.
- "Reading" is a present participle modifying "Helen".
- It has a direct object: "a book".
- This is a participial phrase.
- ✔ Underline: *Reading a book*
- ✔ Circle: *Reading*
---
7. Yawning, Kelly made her way to bed.
- "Yawning" is a present participle modifying "Kelly".
- No modifiers or complements.
- ✔ Circle: *Yawning*
- ✘ No underlining
---
8. Sitting up uncomfortably, Joe tried to get some sleep.
- "Sitting" is a present participle modifying "Joe".
- It has modifiers: "up", "uncomfortably".
- This is a participial phrase.
- ✔ Underline: *Sitting up uncomfortably*
- ✔ Circle: *Sitting*
---
9. Crouched on the carpet, the cat looked warily around the room.
- "Crouched" is a past participle modifying "cat".
- It has a complement: "on the carpet".
- This is a participial phrase.
- ✔ Underline: *Crouched on the carpet*
- ✔ Circle: *Crouched*
---
10. Regretting her decision, she watched her daughter go.
- "Regretting" is a present participle modifying "she".
- It has a direct object: "her decision".
- This is a participial phrase.
- ✔ Underline: *Regretting her decision*
- ✔ Circle: *Regretting*
---
1. Iced in white, the cookies looked like snowmen.
→ Underline: *Iced in white*; Circle: *Iced*
2. The complaining man was introduced to the manager.
→ Circle: *complaining*
3. Listening to music, she walked briskly down the street.
→ Underline: *Listening to music*; Circle: *Listening*
4. Opening the package, she gasped.
→ Underline: *Opening the package*; Circle: *Opening*
5. The squealing little children were enjoying themselves.
→ Circle: *squealing*
6. Reading a book, Helen spent the whole day on the sofa.
→ Underline: *Reading a book*; Circle: *Reading*
7. Yawning, Kelly made her way to bed.
→ Circle: *Yawning*
8. Sitting up uncomfortably, Joe tried to get some sleep.
→ Underline: *Sitting up uncomfortably*; Circle: *Sitting*
9. Crouched on the carpet, the cat looked warily around the room.
→ Underline: *Crouched on the carpet*; Circle: *Crouched*
10. Regretting her decision, she watched her daughter go.
→ Underline: *Regretting her decision*; Circle: *Regretting*
---
- Participles are verb forms used as adjectives.
- When they have modifiers or complements, they form participial phrases.
- Always circle the participle itself.
- Underline the entire phrase if it includes more than just the participle.
This exercise helps students identify how verbs can function as adjectives and improve their understanding of sentence structure.
---
Understanding the Task
We are to:
- Circle each participle used as an adjective.
- If the participle is part of a participial phrase, we must underline the entire phrase.
A participle is a verb form used as an adjective (e.g., *barking*, *grown*).
A participial phrase includes the participle plus its modifiers or complements (e.g., *grown by Wanda*).
---
Now, let’s go through each sentence:
---
1. Iced in white, the cookies looked like snowmen.
- "Iced" is a past participle used as an adjective modifying "cookies".
- The phrase "Iced in white" includes the participle and its complement ("in white").
- ✔ Underline: *Iced in white*
- ✔ Circle: *Iced*
---
2. The complaining man was introduced to the manager.
- "complaining" is a present participle used as an adjective modifying "man".
- It has no modifiers or complements — just the participle.
- ✔ Circle: *complaining*
- ✘ No underlining (not a phrase)
---
3. Listening to music, she walked briskly down the street.
- "Listening" is a present participle used as an adjective modifying "she".
- It has a complement: "to music".
- So this is a participial phrase.
- ✔ Underline: *Listening to music*
- ✔ Circle: *Listening*
---
4. Opening the package, she gasped.
- "Opening" is a present participle modifying "she".
- It has a direct object: "the package".
- This forms a participial phrase.
- ✔ Underline: *Opening the package*
- ✔ Circle: *Opening*
---
5. The squealing little children were enjoying themselves.
- "squealing" is a present participle modifying "children".
- It is used as an adjective describing the children.
- No modifiers or complements attached.
- ✔ Circle: *squealing*
- ✘ No underlining
---
6. Reading a book, Helen spent the whole day on the sofa.
- "Reading" is a present participle modifying "Helen".
- It has a direct object: "a book".
- This is a participial phrase.
- ✔ Underline: *Reading a book*
- ✔ Circle: *Reading*
---
7. Yawning, Kelly made her way to bed.
- "Yawning" is a present participle modifying "Kelly".
- No modifiers or complements.
- ✔ Circle: *Yawning*
- ✘ No underlining
---
8. Sitting up uncomfortably, Joe tried to get some sleep.
- "Sitting" is a present participle modifying "Joe".
- It has modifiers: "up", "uncomfortably".
- This is a participial phrase.
- ✔ Underline: *Sitting up uncomfortably*
- ✔ Circle: *Sitting*
---
9. Crouched on the carpet, the cat looked warily around the room.
- "Crouched" is a past participle modifying "cat".
- It has a complement: "on the carpet".
- This is a participial phrase.
- ✔ Underline: *Crouched on the carpet*
- ✔ Circle: *Crouched*
---
10. Regretting her decision, she watched her daughter go.
- "Regretting" is a present participle modifying "she".
- It has a direct object: "her decision".
- This is a participial phrase.
- ✔ Underline: *Regretting her decision*
- ✔ Circle: *Regretting*
---
✔ Final Answers:
1. Iced in white, the cookies looked like snowmen.
→ Underline: *Iced in white*; Circle: *Iced*
2. The complaining man was introduced to the manager.
→ Circle: *complaining*
3. Listening to music, she walked briskly down the street.
→ Underline: *Listening to music*; Circle: *Listening*
4. Opening the package, she gasped.
→ Underline: *Opening the package*; Circle: *Opening*
5. The squealing little children were enjoying themselves.
→ Circle: *squealing*
6. Reading a book, Helen spent the whole day on the sofa.
→ Underline: *Reading a book*; Circle: *Reading*
7. Yawning, Kelly made her way to bed.
→ Circle: *Yawning*
8. Sitting up uncomfortably, Joe tried to get some sleep.
→ Underline: *Sitting up uncomfortably*; Circle: *Sitting*
9. Crouched on the carpet, the cat looked warily around the room.
→ Underline: *Crouched on the carpet*; Circle: *Crouched*
10. Regretting her decision, she watched her daughter go.
→ Underline: *Regretting her decision*; Circle: *Regretting*
---
📝 Summary:
- Participles are verb forms used as adjectives.
- When they have modifiers or complements, they form participial phrases.
- Always circle the participle itself.
- Underline the entire phrase if it includes more than just the participle.
This exercise helps students identify how verbs can function as adjectives and improve their understanding of sentence structure.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of participle and participial phrases worksheet.
