Participial Phrases – Free Exercise

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Exercises

Choose the correct participle form to complete the participial phrases.

  1. by the sun, the driver didn’t see the stop sign.passive meaning (the driver was blinded) → past participle
  2. five kilograms, Anne finally fit into her favourite dress again.the action in the participial phrase happened before the action in the main clause → perfect participle
  3. Who is the person in the corner?active voice|reduced relative clause (… the person who is sitting …) → present participle
  4. after properly, clothes will last much longer.passive meaning (if clothes are properly looked after, …) → past participle
  5. frantically, Jessica tried to attract the lifeguard’s attention.active meaning, simultaneous action → present participle
  6. The topics in the email were top secret.passive voice, reduced relative clause (the topics that were discussed) → past participle
  7. with the ball at her feet, Elena focuses on the goal up ahead.active voice, simultaneous actions → present participle

Turn the underlined clauses into participial phrases. Use each participle form once (present, past and perfect).

Example:
Harry had lived in Madrid for years, so he was able to give some great recommendations.
Having lived in Madrid for years, Harry was able to give some great recommendations.
  1. They were surprised by a sudden storm and had to seek shelter under a tree.
     , they had to seek shelter under a tree.passive voice → past participle|subject moves to the main clause
  2. Once they had chosen a wedding date, they started searching for a venue.
     , they started searching for a venue.action in the participle phrase happened before the action in the main clause → perfect participle|omit the conjunction (once) and the subject from the participial phrase
  3. Seb observes the situation carefully and begins to form a plan.
     , Seb begins to form a plan.active voice, simultaneous action → present participle|subject moves to the main clause