Participial Phrase Participles are VERBS that describe nouns or pronouns. Present participles always end in –ing. ▫Smiling, jumping, bringing, swimming, breaking Past participles generally end in –ed. ▫smiled, jumped For irregular verbs, Past participles can vary slightly. ▫brought, swum, broken Participial phrases can occur at the beginning, middle, and end of sentences.

Present participles always end in –ing Beginning (Sentence Opener) Sitting up in bed eating breakfast, we could see the lake and the mountains across the lake on the French side. Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms Whistling, he let the escalator waft him into the still night air. Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451 Middle (Subject-Verb Split) The sight of Mick’s exploring beam of light, flashing and flickering through the submarine darkness a few yards away, reminded him that he was not alone. Arthur C. Clarke, Dolphin Island Professor Kazan, wearing a spotlessly white tropical suit and wide- brimmed hat, was the first person ashore. Arthur C. Clarke, Dolphin Island End (Sentence Closer) The entire crowd in the saloon gathered about me now, urging me to drink. Richard Wright, Black Boy The horse found the entrance to the trail where it left the flat and started up, stumbling and slipping on the rocks. John Steinbeck, “Flight”

Past participles generally end in –ed Beginning (Sentence Opener) Enchanted and enthralled, I stopped her constantly for details. Richard Wright, Black Boy Dismayed by what had happened, he buried his face in his hands and cried. Mildred D. Taylor, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Middle (Subject-Verb Split) The child, relinquished by the nurse, rushed across the room and rooted shyly in her mother’s dress. F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby The tent, illuminated by candle, glowed warmly in the midst of the plain. Jack London, The Call of the Wild End (Sentence Closer) In six months a dozen small towns had been laid down upon the naked planet, filled with sizzling neon tubes and yellow electric bulbs. Ray Bradbury, The Martian Chronicles She called to him, excited by her news. Daphne du Maurier, “The Birds”

For irregular verbs, Past participles can vary slightly Beginning (Sentence Opener) Seen only once every 76 years, Halley’s Comet is one of the most well- known astrological phenomena. Shaken, he walked away from the wrecked car. J.G. Ballard, Crash Middle (Subject-Verb Split) Lions, known to be the most social of the big cats, spend twenty hours each day resting and sleeping. The cake, eaten slowly and with deliberate sweetness, was the best part of Mildred’s afternoon. James M. Cain, Mildred Pierce End (Sentence Closer) The little shack and the rotting barn were gray-bitten with sea salt, beaten by the damp wind until they had taken in the color of the granite hills. John Steinbeck, “Flight” Ellie feared what may have become of her father, gone from these parts for over four months. Bret Harte, “The Town that Time Forgot”

Your Assignment 1.In Edmoto, post 3 sentences using Participial Phrases. 2.Please use all three placements – beginning, middle, and end 3.Please use at least one Present Participle (-ing) and at least one Past Participle (-ed) BONUS POINTS if your 3 rd sentence uses an irregular verb in the past tense. 5.After the sentence, label: 1.which noun you are modifying (describing) 2.the verb in the Participial Phrase Shelley’s Examples Beginning (Sentence Opener): Causing trouble once again, my pet alligator ate our neighbor’s poodle. 1.Participial Phrase is modifying alligator 2.Verb in the Participial Phrase is Causing Middle (Subject-Verb Split): Fluffy, given to me as an anniversary present from a really twisted ex-boyfriend, was constantly getting loose from his pen in the backyard. 1.Participial Phrase is modifying Fluffy 2.Verb in the Participial Phrase is given End (Sentence Closer): My neighbor filed a complaint against me with Animal Control Services, outraged at her loss and disgusted by the poodle carnage. 1.Participial Phrase is modifying neighbor 2.Verb in the Participial Phrase is outraged and disgusted