PARTICIPLES CCSS L.8.1.A Explain the function of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) in general and their function in particular sentences.

Objectives for this Lesson I can…  explain the function of a verbal  describe the function of a participle in a sentence  identify a participle  identify a participial phrase.

Our first objective is to explain the function of a verbal. A verbal is a verb that is functioning as another part of speech. Yes, little baby, it can!

Our second objective is to describe the function of a participle in a sentence. A participle is a verbal because it is a verb, but it is functioning as an ADJECTIVE (a describing word) in a sentence.

There are two types of participle: present and past. Present participles always end in –ing. (hiking, running, swimming, speeding) REMEMBER: Just because a word ends in –ing does NOT mean it is a participle! It may be functioning as a verb or a gerund. Past participles usually end in - ed, -d, -t, -en, or –n. (cooked, burnt, broken)

Let’s review: What is the function of a verbal? A verbal is a verb form that functions as another part of speech. What is the function of a participle? A participle functions as an adjective. Our next objective is to identify the participle in a sentence.

The trembling mouse ran away from the cat. To find the participle, ask yourself, “What word is describing a noun or pronoun?” Trembling (describes mouse) Then ask, “Does this word look like a verb? (does it end in –ing, - ed, -d, -t, -en, or –n)” Yes, -ing, so it’s a present participle.

My mom brought home a pizza with crust stuffed with cheese. What word is describing a noun or pronoun? Stuffed (describes crust) Does this word look like a verb? (does it end in –ing, - ed, -d, -t, -en, or –n) Yes, -ed, so it’s a past participle.

Let’s practice together! Find the participle in the following sentences: The rising sun was bright. rising The cooked food was delicious. cooked Running down the road, the dog was almost hit by a car. Running The baby was a drooling mess. drooling

Now it’s your turn! Find the participle in the following sentences: He gave us a bowl of ice cream topped with M&Ms. topped The woman carrying the boxes is our principal. carrying The running water was a waste of a natural resource in our time of drought. running My little brother’s broken arm was in a purple cast. broken

Exactly!

Our last objective is to identify participial phrases.

Participial phrases include a participle and any other modifying words, objects, or complements. Participial phrases function as adjectives just like participles, describing a noun or pronoun.

For example: Rolling down the hill, the boulder gained speed. To find the participial phrase, ask yourself, “What word is describing a noun or pronoun?” Rolling (describes the boulder) Then ask, “Does the first word look like a verb? (does it end in –ing, - ed, -d, -t, -en, or –n)” It ends in -ing, so it is a present participle. Then add the modifiers “down the hill” and you have the complete participial phrase: rolling down the hill.

Participial phrases can come anywhere in a sentence; if they come at the beginning, the phrase is followed by a comma. Stuffed with pizza, the twins fell asleep during the movie.

When the participial phrase ends a sentence and is NOT close to the noun or pronoun it is modifying, a comma must come before the participial phrase. Johnny whistled at the girl, making her blush. Johnny is the noun being modified with the phrase “making her blush”, so a comma is needed. We got upset with the boy making Juliana blush. Boy is the noun being modified with the phrase “making Juliana blush”, so a comma is NOT needed.

When the participial phrase occurs in the middle of a sentence and is NOT an essential part of the sentence, use two commas. One comes before the participial phrase and the other comes after it. The teacher, grading her papers, was falling asleep at the table. The participial phrase “grading her papers” could be taken out and the sentence would still make sense; therefore, we use commas to offset the phrase. The teacher grading her papers looked angry. This participial phrase is an essential part of the sentence as it identifies which teacher looked angry; therefore, no commas are necessary.

Let’s practice together! Find the participial phrase in the following sentences: The dog, worried about his bone, kept returning to the back yard. worried about his bone My friend wearing the sweat pants is calling us over to her. wearing the sweat pants Kenny had to clean up the spaghetti spilled on the floor. spilled on the floor Gasping for air, Jonah finished one lap around the track. gasping for air

Now it’s your turn! Find the participial phrases in the following sentences: Having studied for hours, the student aced the test. having studied for hours We had to be careful carrying the coffee cup filled to the brim. filled to the brim (carrying is a gerund) The dog, filled with anxiety, was starting to growl. filled with anxiety My cousin studying to be a doctor is too busy to come home for Christmas. studying to be a doctor

Now it’s time to review! Find the participle or participial phrase in the following sentences: 1. Filled with excitement, the children could hardly wait for Christmas. filled with excitement 2. The broken DVD was useless. broken 3. We brought a cooked turkey to the homeless shelter. cooked 4. Tara was furious with the stylist cutting her hair for taking too much off the ends. cutting her hair (taking is a gerund)

5. It took us hours to coax the kittens hiding in the bushes to eat some food. hiding in the bushes 6. The horse, sweating from the exertion, needed a break from his training. sweating from the exertion (training is a gerund) 7. Tired of his sass, Timmy’s mom put him in his room. tired of his sass 8. For breakfast, I had a gigantic cinnamon roll covered with frosting. covered with frosting 9. Steve threw the football hard, wrenching his shoulder muscle. wrenching his shoulder muscle 10. The family, driving home from their vacation, was exhausted. driving home from their vacation

One last review: What is the function of a verbal? A verbal is a verb form that functions as another part of speech. What is the function of a participle? A participle functions as an adjective.