Grammar Lesson: The Participle and Participial Phrase

Activity- Participial Phrase or Not?

Indicate whether the underlined group of words in each sentence is a participial phrase by writing PART on the line before the sentence. If it is not, write NO on the line.

1. ____ The tourists were waiting for the leader's directions.
2. ____ Startled by the loud noise, the parakeet excitedly flew around the cage.
3. ____ The birds soaring above us were enjoying themselves.
4. ____ Leaving her child at nursery school on the first day of class was not easy for Mrs. Plunkett.
5. ____ It was difficult for Perkins to remember his neighbor's telephone number.
6. ____ The director speaking to the cast members is Mr. Flores.
7. ____ Burning leaves in one's backyard is illegal in our village.
8. ____ The screens placed into their windows by Patsy had been repaired by Doug Hayes.
9. ____ Reading three newspapers a day, Christine enjoyed herself on Cape Cod that week.
10. ____ Frolicking with the dogs was fun for Luke's cat.
11. ____ Our goalie was congratulated by all of us.
12. ____ The young boy running with his friends is my nephew.
13. ____ Guided by her trusty dog, Debbie found her way to the market.
14. ____ A book read by many high school students is To Kill a Mockingbird.
15. ____ The gymnast had struggled with her challenging routine.

Answers

• Sentences 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 14 contain participial phrases.
• Sentences 1, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, and 15 do not contain participial phrases.