Rewrite sentences in participle phrases - ESL worksheet by steptong - Free Printable

Let's solve this worksheet step by step. The task is to rewrite each sentence using a participle phrase. A participle phrase is a group of words that includes a present participle (ending in -ing) or past participle (usually ending in -ed, but not always) and any modifiers or complements. These phrases often function as adjectives or adverbs and can replace relative clauses or subordinate clauses to make sentences more concise.

We'll go through each sentence and rewrite it using a participle phrase, keeping the meaning intact.

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1. We felt hungry, so we had supper early.

➡️ Feeling hungry, we had supper early.
*(“Feeling hungry” is a present participle phrase modifying “we”)*

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2. As I did not see all the evidence, I am reluctant to make a judgment.

➡️ Not having seen all the evidence, I am reluctant to make a judgment.
*(“Not having seen” is a perfect participle phrase showing prior action)*

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3. I was extremely depressed as I was scolded by my teacher.

➡️ Being scolded by my teacher, I was extremely depressed.
*(“Being scolded” is a passive present participle phrase explaining the cause)*

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4. Peter was so slim that he could squeeze through the opening in the fence.

➡️ So slim that he could squeeze through the opening in the fence, Peter...
But better: Being so slim, Peter could squeeze through the opening in the fence.
*(Alternatively: "Peter, being so slim, could squeeze..." — but since it’s a rewrite, use:)*
➡️ Being so slim, Peter could squeeze through the opening in the fence.

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5. The manager was impressed by Joey’s work so he extended her contract for a year.

➡️ Impressed by Joey’s work, the manager extended her contract for a year.
*(“Impressed by...” is a past participle phrase modifying “the manager”)*

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6. I had been invited to the party. I felt delighted.

➡️ Having been invited to the party, I felt delighted.
*(Perfect passive participle showing prior action)*

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7. Mary does not hand in the project on time, so she was punished.

➡️ Not handing in the project on time, Mary was punished.
*(Present participle phrase showing reason)*

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8. I was hurt by the sharp knife, so I cried.

➡️ Hurt by the sharp knife, I cried.
*(Past participle phrase showing cause — passive voice)*

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9. May was praised by the teacher as she got a good result in the test.

➡️ Having got a good result in the test, May was praised by the teacher.
*(Perfect participle showing prior action)*

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10. I had done my project. I was praised and honoured by my boss.

➡️ Having done my project, I was praised and honoured by my boss.
*(Perfect participle showing completed action before praise)*

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11. When the boy had finished his work, he left the classroom.

➡️ Having finished his work, the boy left the classroom.
*(Perfect participle showing completed action before leaving)*

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12. As Sammy was a clever girl, she was popular.

➡️ Being a clever girl, Sammy was popular.
*(Present participle phrase showing reason)*

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13. Jane is not intelligent, so she is despised by her classmates.

➡️ Not being intelligent, Jane is despised by her classmates.
*(Negative present participle phrase)*

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14. He had acquired the money through hard work, so he was reluctant to give it away.

➡️ Having acquired the money through hard work, he was reluctant to give it away.
*(Perfect participle showing prior effort)*

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15. I was frightened by the dog. I dashed away.

➡️ Frightened by the dog, I dashed away.
*(Past participle phrase showing cause)*

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16. He did not get a good result in the examination. He was punished.

➡️ Not having got a good result in the examination, he was punished.
*(Perfect participle with negative — shows prior failure)*

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17. Jenny had taken a bath. Then she went out.

➡️ Having taken a bath, Jenny went out.
*(Perfect participle showing completed action before going out)*

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18. Jenny did not know the way to the station. She cried bitterly.

➡️ Not knowing the way to the station, Jenny cried bitterly.
*(Present participle phrase showing reason for crying)*

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✔ Final Answers:

1. Feeling hungry, we had supper early.
2. Not having seen all the evidence, I am reluctant to make a judgment.
3. Being scolded by my teacher, I was extremely depressed.
4. Being so slim, Peter could squeeze through the opening in the fence.
5. Impressed by Joey’s work, the manager extended her contract for a year.
6. Having been invited to the party, I felt delighted.
7. Not handing in the project on time, Mary was punished.
8. Hurt by the sharp knife, I cried.
9. Having got a good result in the test, May was praised by the teacher.
10. Having done my project, I was praised and honoured by my boss.
11. Having finished his work, the boy left the classroom.
12. Being a clever girl, Sammy was popular.
13. Not being intelligent, Jane is despised by her classmates.
14. Having acquired the money through hard work, he was reluctant to give it away.
15. Frightened by the dog, I dashed away.
16. Not having got a good result in the examination, he was punished.
17. Having taken a bath, Jenny went out.
18. Not knowing the way to the station, Jenny cried bitterly.

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📝 Explanation Summary:

- Participle phrases are used to make sentences more concise and fluid.
- Present participles (-ing) show active or ongoing actions (e.g., *feeling*, *having finished*).
- Past participles (-ed / -en) show passive or completed actions (e.g., *impressed*, *frightened*).
- Perfect participles (having + past participle) show actions completed before the main verb.
- They often replace subordinate clauses like “because,” “when,” or “as.”

This exercise helps improve writing style and grammatical accuracy.