English Language Arts
Grade 9
15 min
Identify participles and what they modify
Identify participles and what they modify
What you'll learn
- Identify the articles 'a', 'an', and 'the' in a sentence with 80% accuracy.
- Choose the correct article ('a' or 'an') to complete 5 out of 6 simple sentences with missing articles.
- Explain the difference between using 'a' and 'an' in their own words.
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define a participle and distinguish it from other verbals.
Differentiate between present participles (ending in -ing) and past participles (often ending in -ed, -en, -d, -t, or -n).
Identify participles and participial phrases within complex sentences.
Pinpoint the specific noun or pronoun that a participle or participial phrase modifies.
Distinguish between a participle used as an adjective and a main verb in a verb phrase.
Analyze how authors use participles to create vivid imagery and concise descriptions in literature.
How can you make a noun do two things at once—be a thing, and perform an action? 🏃♀️ Let's explore the grammatical magic of participles!
This tutorial will teach you how to identify a special type of verbal called a participle....
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
VerbalA word formed from a verb but functioning as a different part of speech, such as a noun, adjective, or adverb.In 'I love to read,' 'to read' is a verbal (an infinitive).
ParticipleA type of verbal that functions as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun.The *crying* baby was hungry. ('crying' describes the baby).
Present ParticipleA participle that ends in -ing and describes a current or ongoing action.The *running* water overflowed the sink. ('running' modifies water).
Past ParticipleA participle that typically ends in -ed, -en, -d, -t, or -n and describes a past or completed action.The *broken* window needed to be repaired. ('broken' modifies window).
Participial PhraseA phrase that consists of a participle...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Adjective Function Rule
A participle or participial phrase always functions as an adjective.
To test if a word is a participle, ask if it answers the adjective questions: 'Which one?', 'What kind?', or 'How many?' about a noun or pronoun in the sentence. If it does, it's likely a participle.
The Helping Verb Test
A verb form is part of the main verb if it is preceded by a helping verb (is, am, are, was, were, has, have, had, etc.). If it stands alone to describe a noun, it is a participle.
Use this to distinguish between a verb phrase and a participle. For example, in 'He *was sleeping*,' 'sleeping' is a verb. In 'The *sleeping* dog,' 'sleeping' is a participle.
The Proximity Rule for Phrases...
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Challenging
Analyze the following excerpt: 'The old man, his face weathered by years of sun and sea, gazed at the horizon.' How does the participial phrase 'weathered by years of sun and sea' contribute to the characterization of the old man?
A.It suggests he is a wealthy merchant.
B.It implies he is new to the area and observing it for the first time.
C.It shows, rather than tells, that he has a long history with the outdoors and a life of hard experience.
D.It indicates he is feeling sad about his past.
Challenging
Which sentence correctly uses both a present participial phrase and a single-word past participle?
A.Running late, he grabbed his forgotten keys and left.
B.The crying child pointed at the broken toy.
C.She was painting a chosen landscape.
D.Having finished the test, the relieved student relaxed.
Challenging
Sentence A: 'Because it was inspired by a true story, the film felt authentic.' Sentence B: 'Inspired by a true story, the film felt authentic.' What is the primary rhetorical effect of using a participial phrase in Sentence B instead of the subordinate clause in Sentence A?
A.Sentence B is more formal and academic.
B.Sentence B creates more suspense about the film.
C.Sentence B is more concise and creates a smoother, more immediate connection between the inspiration and the film's authenticity.
D.Sentence B makes the sentence's meaning less clear.
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What grade level is "Identify participles and what they modify"?
Identify participles and what they modify is a Grade 9 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Identify participles and what they modify?
You'll be able to: Identify the articles 'a', 'an', and 'the' in a sentence with 80% accuracy; Choose the correct article ('a' or 'an') to complete 5 out of 6 simple sentences with missing articles; Explain the difference between using 'a' and….
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How many practice questions are included with Identify participles and what they modify?
This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.