Let's solve this grammar exercise step by step. The task is to
identify the participle (or participial phrase) in each sentence.
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🔹 What is a participle?
A
participle is a verb form that functions as an adjective. There are two types:
-
Present participle: ends in *-ing* (e.g., running, smiling)
-
Past participle: often ends in *-ed*, *-en*, or irregular forms (e.g., broken, written, seen)
Participles modify nouns and are often used in
participial phrases (a participle + its modifiers and complements).
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Now let’s go through each sentence:
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1. The students applauded the winning team.
- A. students → noun (subject)
- B. applauded → past tense verb
- C.
winning → present participle modifying "team" → describes *which* team (the one that is winning)
- D. team → noun
✔ Answer: C. winning
→ "winning" is a present participle acting as an adjective describing "team".
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2. The wounded heroine smiled at the young soldier.
- A.
wounded → past participle used as an adjective describing "heroine"
- B. heroine → noun
- C. smiled → past tense verb
- D. young → adjective (not a participle)
✔ Answer: A. wounded
→ "wounded" is a past participle (from "wound") used as an adjective to describe the heroine.
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3. The rising sun appeared on time.
- A.
rising → present participle modifying "sun"
- B. sun → noun
- C. appeared → past tense verb
- D. time → noun
✔ Answer: A. rising
→ "rising" describes the sun — it's the action happening to the sun.
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4. All of the sad people saw the wrecked airplane.
- A. sad → adjective (not a participle)
- B. people → noun
- C.
wrecked → past participle modifying "airplane"
- D. airplane → noun
✔ Answer: C. wrecked
→ "wrecked" is a past participle (from "wreck") describing the airplane.
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5. In the cold water, the frightened man grabbed the red buoy.
- A. cold → adjective (not a participle)
- B. water → noun
- C.
frightened → past participle modifying "man" (from "frighten")
- D. grabbed → past tense verb
✔ Answer: C. frightened
→ "frightened" describes the man; it’s a past participle used as an adjective.
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✔ Final Answers:
1.
C. winning
2.
A. wounded
3.
A. rising
4.
C. wrecked
5.
C. frightened
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📝 Summary Explanation:
All correct answers are
past or present participles used as adjectives:
-
Present participles (-ing): *winning*, *rising*
-
Past participles (-ed/-en or irregular): *wounded*, *wrecked*, *frightened*
These words describe the nouns they follow and function as
adjectives, even though they come from verbs.
Let me know if you'd like a printable version or explanation for teaching!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of participle phrase worksheet.
