Participial Phrases

Participial PhrasesParticipial Phrases

Consists of a participle (a verb form that Consists of a participle (a verb form that can be used as an adjective) and any can be used as an adjective) and any modifiers or complements.modifiers or complements.

The entire phrase is used as an The entire phrase is used as an adjectiveadjective..

Eating his cupcakeEating his cupcake, the , the toddlertoddler sighed sighed happily.happily.

Gerund PhrasesGerund Phrases

Consists of a gerund (a verb form that Consists of a gerund (a verb form that ends in –ing and is used as a noun) and ends in –ing and is used as a noun) and any modifiers or complements.any modifiers or complements.

The entire phrase is used as a The entire phrase is used as a nounnoun..

My sister and her friends enjoy My sister and her friends enjoy swimming swimming at the beachat the beach. (D.O. of the verb enjoy). (D.O. of the verb enjoy)

Infinitive PhrasesInfinitive Phrases

Consists of an infinitive (formed from Consists of an infinitive (formed from a verb—mostly beginning with a verb—mostly beginning with toto——that can be used as a noun, an that can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb)adjective, or an adverb)

Often, the best strategy is Often, the best strategy is to forgiveto forgive.. To test effectivelyTo test effectively, pay attention in , pay attention in

class. class.

Identify the underlined phrase Identify the underlined phrase as participial, gerund, or as participial, gerund, or

infinitive.infinitive.1.1. Bicycling through the countrysideBicycling through the countryside is is

a favorite hobby of mine.a favorite hobby of mine.

2.2. I enjoy the freedom I enjoy the freedom to get around to get around on my ownon my own..

3.3. I also ride my bike I also ride my bike to schoolto school..

4.4. At 8:00 A.M., I am on my way, At 8:00 A.M., I am on my way, pedaling furiouslypedaling furiously..


infinitive.infinitive.1.1.Bicycling through the countrysideBicycling through the countryside is a is a

favorite hobby of mine. favorite hobby of mine. (gerund)(gerund)2.2.I enjoy the freedom I enjoy the freedom to get around on to get around on

my ownmy own. . (infinitive)(infinitive)

3.3.I also ride my bike I also ride my bike to schoolto school. . (prepositional (prepositional – remember, an infinitive phrase needs a – remember, an infinitive phrase needs a verb.verb.))

4.4.At 8:00 A.M., I am on my way, At 8:00 A.M., I am on my way, pedaling pedaling furiouslyfuriously. . (participial)(participial)


infinitive.infinitive.5.5. Neither rain nor heat not barking dogs Neither rain nor heat not barking dogs

keep me from keep me from riding my bike dailyriding my bike daily..

6.6. Three years’ worth of repairs attests Three years’ worth of repairs attests to to my good faith in the mattermy good faith in the matter..

7.7. Nevertheless, I am trying Nevertheless, I am trying to save to save enough money for an all-terrain bikeenough money for an all-terrain bike..


infinitive.infinitive.5.5. Neither rain nor heat not barking Neither rain nor heat not barking

dogs dogs keep me from keep me from riding my bike riding my bike dailydaily. . (gerund)(gerund)

6.6. Three years’ worth of repairs Three years’ worth of repairs attests attests to to my good faith in the my good faith in the mattermatter. . (preposition – no verb, (preposition – no verb, remember)remember)

7.7. Nevertheless, I am trying Nevertheless, I am trying to save to save enough money for an all-terrain enough money for an all-terrain

bikebike. . (infinitive)(infinitive)

Find and identify the phrases Find and identify the phrases in the following sentences.in the following sentences.

1.1. At college, my sister tried again to At college, my sister tried again to master the art of swimming.master the art of swimming.

2.2. Swimming the length of the pool was one Swimming the length of the pool was one of the requirements for graduation.of the requirements for graduation.

3.3. To my sister, it was a difficult challenge.To my sister, it was a difficult challenge.

4.4. She would jump into the pool with her She would jump into the pool with her friends standing by to cheer her on.friends standing by to cheer her on.


1.1. At college, my sister tried again At college, my sister tried again to master to master the art of swimmingthe art of swimming. . (infinitive)(infinitive)

2.2. Swimming the length of the poolSwimming the length of the pool was one of was one of the requirements for graduation. the requirements for graduation. (gerund)(gerund)

3.3. To my sisterTo my sister, it was a difficult challenge. , it was a difficult challenge. (prepositional)(prepositional)

4.4. She would jump into the pool with her She would jump into the pool with her friends standing by friends standing by to cheer her onto cheer her on. . (infinitive)(infinitive)


5.5. Despite her intentions, she never got Despite her intentions, she never got farther than ten feet from the edge farther than ten feet from the edge of the pool.of the pool.

6.6. Nevertheless, she would try again, Nevertheless, she would try again, advancing and improving each time.advancing and improving each time.

7.7. The instructor convinced her that The instructor convinced her that swimming did not mean risking her swimming did not mean risking her life.life.


5.5. Despite her intentionsDespite her intentions, she never , she never got farther than ten feet got farther than ten feet from the from the edge of the pooledge of the pool. . (prepositional)(prepositional)

6.6. Nevertheless, she would try again, Nevertheless, she would try again, advancing and improving each advancing and improving each timetime. . (participial)(participial)

7.7. The instructor convinced her that The instructor convinced her that swimming did not mean swimming did not mean risking her risking her lifelife. . (gerund)(gerund)

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Participial Phrases