A participial phrase is a group of words that include a participle which can be a present participle (ends in –ing) or a past participle (ends in –ed, –en, –d, etc.), modifiers, complements, and objects. A participial phrase typically functions as an adjective that modifies a noun or pronoun.
Examples:
- Looking through her binoculars, my grandmother said she saw a dark UFO.
(The present participle is looking, and the participial phrase is looking through her binoculars. This participial phrase acts as an adjective and modifies the noun grandmother.) - Emitting a creaking sound, the door slowly opened by itself.
(The present participle is emitting, and the participial phrase is emitting a creaking souind. This participial phrase acts as an adjective and modifies the noun door.)
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