Participles verb forms that function as adjectives Examples

Participles verb forms that function as adjectives Examples: Smiling, the singer emerged from backstage. Smiling at her fans, the singer emerged from backstage. (present participle phrase) Amazed, John stared at the beautiful picture. Amazed at his sister’s artistic talent, John stared at the beautiful picture. (past participle phrase) L. 8. 1. a

What is a Participle? 1. Looks like a verb – a “verby” looking word 2. Ends in –ing or –ed (some irregularly formed…known) 3. Behaves as an adjective in the sentence 4. Modifies nouns and pronouns

Present Participle Phrases �Present participles are words that end in “-ing. ” �A participial phrase commonly functions as an adjective. �a present participle phrase may begin the sentence. Running home quickly, the dog got soaked in the pouring rain. Shivering violently, Rover stopped in front of the porch stairs. Bounding up the steps, Rover shook out his water-logged coat. Sitting on the porch, Rover licked his wet fur.

Ing at the beginning • The diamondback water snake attacked its prey. vs • Hissing, slithering, and coiling, the diamondback snake attacked its prey. Vs • Hissing its forked red tongue and coiling its cold body, the diamond-back snake attacked its prey.

• A single participle creates rapid movement, while expanded phrases add details at a slower but equally intense pace.

“-ing” at end • He trudged along the hot desert for days, wishing he had brought more water. • Sandy gave the homeless man all the money she had, hoping that her small act of kindness might bring him some comfort.

Ing at the end of the sent • The man got out of the chair with difficulty, pushing himself up with his arms, holding his breath as he rose. • Robert Ludlum, The Bourne Identity 1975

Ing verb placed at the beginning and end of a sentence. • Shifting the weight of the line to his left shoulder and kneeling carefully, he washed his hand in the ocean and held it there, submerged, for more than a minute, watching the blood trail away and the steady movement of the water against his hand as the boat moved. • -Ernest Heminway, Old Man and the Sea 1952.

• Join ideas using an –ing verb form. – Two sentences: • She studied all night. • She passed the exam. – Combined: • Having studied all night, she passed the exam.

• Past participles are introduced by participles ending in ed rather than ing. • They can be used anywhere ing participles are used.

Past Participle �Seasoned with past participle phrases, writing will have more zing. �Past participles are words that end in “-ed. ” Soaked from the pouring rain, Rover ran quickly. Aided by his canine instincts, he shook himself vigorously. Determined to get quickly onto the porch, Rover climbed the stairs in just one leap. Seated on the covered porch at last, Rover licked his wet fur.

At the beginning of a sentence • Tossed from side to side by the sharp turns, jerked forward by the sudden stops, his ears assailed by shrieking brakes and surly horns, he goes on talking or reading his paper, and reaches his destination heedless of the miracles that has brought him there. • Zissner

At the end of a sentence • Full, pursed lips protruded beneath the bushy black moustache and at their corners, sank into little folds, filled with disapproval and potato chips. • John Kennedy Toole, A Confederacy of Dunces

After a pronoun • She, thrilled and in part sedated by his words, gazed at him in boredom.

Student samples • Flying through the air on the wings of a dream, the Olympic jumper thrust the weight of his whole body forward. • Melody froze, dripping with sweat, hoping with all her might that they wouldn’t hear the noise. A beam of light swung out into the darkness, searching. • The clown, appearing bright and cheerful, smiled and did his act with unusual certainty for someone wo had just killed a man.

Participle series • Participles in a series create strong musical rhythms. • He hobbled around the ruins, seizing at his bad leg when it lagged, talking and whimpering and shouting directions at it and cursing it and pleading with it to work for him now when it was vital. • Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451