ACTIVITY: Participial Phrases

A participial phrase is a verb that acts as an adjective by describing a noun.

Participles usually end in -ing or -ed.

Examples with the participle in capital letters:
--The CRYING baby had a wet diaper.
"Cry" is a verb, but in this sentence "crying" is describing or modifying the baby, so it is a participle.

--The BURNING log fell off the fire.
"Burn" is a verb, but in this sentence "burning" is describing or modifying the log, so it is a participle.

--SMILING, she hugged the PANTING dog.
"Smile" is a verb, but in this sentence "smiling" is describing or modifying "she", so it is a participle. "Panting" is describing the dog, so it is also a participle.