Participle Recognition Practice

Definition: A participle is a verb form used as an adjective.  The present participle and the past participle of the verb can be used.  You learned these two when you studied the principal parts of a verb.

Example:
Verb - walk
Base - (to) walk
Present participle: (is) walking
Past: walked
Past participle: (have) walked

Now the present or past participle can be used as adjectives.  Remember that adjectives answer the questions: what kind? how many? which one?.  So, the participle will do the same thing.

Example:
The running track is covered with mud.
Running is the participle, describing the noun, track

A participle can come before or after the noun or pronoun it modifies.  Remember, too, that the participle is a verb so you need to be careful that it is not part of a verb phrase in the sentence.

Example:
Are you running for president?
Are running is the verb in the sentence.
Exercise Directions: Find the participle(s) in the following sentences.  Be careful.  Make sure the participle is modifying a noun or pronoun and not just part of a verb phrase.  After the participle, give the noun or pronoun it modifies.

1. The blinking traffic light demanded that the motorists use caution as they went through the intersection.

2. The storms that came through last night were blinding storms, that made the cars stop on the side of the road until the rain eased up.

3. Jim was a trained guide for the park.

4. The missing piece of paper was found yesterday.

5. Tired and dehydrated, the hikers finally made it home.

6. Those students remaining at the museum came home about 5 p.m.

7. The test given in gym class was very challenging for the first graders.

8. Specialized tools are needed to do plumbing work.  (2 here)

9. Dried food was needed on the camping trip.  (2 here)

10. Among the leading students in the tournament were two from our school.

11. The campers were walking cautiously along the rocky edge of the cliff.

12. Stretching his legs, Jim got ready to run.

13. Was Steve reading his book last night?

14. Working hard, Sarah finally reached her goal.

15. The building site is at Fourth and Central Avenue.
 

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