PARTICIPIAL PHRASES
Participial Phrases: when they are at the beginning of a sentence, you must use a comma like you would with a depending clause. By themselves they are fragments.
A participle phrase will begin with a present (-ing) or past (-ed) participle. If the participle is present, it will dependably end in ing. Likewise, a regular past participle will end in a consistent -ed.
Since all phrases require two or more words, a participle phrase will often include objects and/or modifiers that complete the thought. Here are some examples:
Crunching caramel corn for the entire movie
Washed with soap and water
Stuck in the back of the closet behind the obsolete computer
Participial Phrases in complete sentences:
Talking on the phone for a couple of hours last night, I forgot to do my homework.
Lifting the heavy boxes, I hurt my back.
A participle phrase will begin with a present (-ing) or past (-ed) participle. If the participle is present, it will dependably end in ing. Likewise, a regular past participle will end in a consistent -ed.
Since all phrases require two or more words, a participle phrase will often include objects and/or modifiers that complete the thought. Here are some examples:
Crunching caramel corn for the entire movie
Washed with soap and water
Stuck in the back of the closet behind the obsolete computer
Participial Phrases in complete sentences:
Talking on the phone for a couple of hours last night, I forgot to do my homework.
Lifting the heavy boxes, I hurt my back.