Grammar Guide: Participles

We are focusing on the USA this block at Nomen Global. As we end the month of June and enter July, many Americans reflect on the beginning of our country. The 4th of July is the holiday that commemorates the independence of the United States from Britain. On this day, many Americans take a day off work, watch a patriotic parade, and barbecue outside. Fortunately for Nomen Global students, Nomen Global offers a week-long vacation for the students to experience the different festivals around the city, state, and country.

Participles

Continuing our discussion of verbals (including gerunds and infinitives), we will address participles today. Participles are, again, verbs that are used as adjectives. Participial adjectives take the form of either the present participle (the -ing form) or the past participle (regular -ed ending or irregular form). 

Present Participle

The -ing form of the verb can be used to describe nouns that perform that action.

• The flying eagle landed near the American flag.
• The patriotic parade featured the city's marching band.
• Fighting for independence, the early American citizens did not give up hope.

Notice that in each of these sentences, the participial adjective describes a noun. The noun that it describes actually performs the action expressed in the participle. The eagle flies. The band marches. The early American citizens fight for independence.

Past Participle

The past participle (the regular -ed ending or irregular form) of the verb can be used to describe nouns that receive that action.

• Students interested in history love Independence Day.
• The excited boys cheered as the parade marched by.
• Loved by their families, the soldiers in the American Revolutionary War left for battle.

Notice that in each of these sentences, the participial adjective describes a noun. The noun that it describes receives the action expressed in the participle. The students are interested. The boys are excited. The soldiers are loved by their families.

Dangling Participles

When writing, be careful that the participial phrases actually modify the intended noun. Many writers make the mistake of placing the participial phrase away from the noun it modifies. You should always place the participle next to the noun it modifies.

Incorrect:

• Relieved that the war was over, the United States was independent.
• Cheering loudly, the parade marched past the excited boys.

Better: 

• Relieved that the war was over, the citizens of the United States celebrated independence.
• Cheering loudly, the excited boys watched the parade march down the street.

Learn more about participles and other grammar principles at Nomen Global!