Participles

A participle is a verb form that is used as an adjective. A present participle contains the ending -ing (swimming, boating). A past participle usually ends in –ed or –d (trained, baked). A participial phrase contains a participle and related words (swimming to the island, trained as a lifeguard.

Use a participial phrase to add action to the beginning of a sentence. Note how participial phrases strengthen these sentences.

Benny fell and broke his ankle this morning. He was running to school.
Running to school this morning, Benny fell and broke his ankle.

Hank took classes to become a lifeguard. He now works at Tidewater Beach.
Trained as a lifeguard, Hank now works at Tidewater Beach.

Which sentence begins with a participial phrase? I tiptoed quietly into the room and checked the sleeping baby. Tiptoeing quietly into the room, I checked the sleeping baby.