When should I use a participial phrase?

What is a participial phrase? A participial phrase is a group of words consisting of a participle and the modifier and/or nouns, pronouns or noun phrases that function as the direct objects, indirect objects, or complements of the action or state expressed in the participle. Guide to Grammar and Style For example:

Removing his pants, Ron jumped into the water to save the child.

The participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying ‘Ron’. Removing (participle) his pants (direct object of action expressed in participle)

Theresa observed her father jogging along the path.

The participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying ‘father’. jogging (participle) along the path (prepositional phrase as adverb)

Tots interested in music early develop powerful intellectual skills.

The participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying ‘tots’. interested (in) (participle) music (direct object of action expressed in participle) early (adverb)

Having been a pole vaulter, Gale knew the importance of exercise.

The participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying ‘Gale’. Having been (participle) a pole vaulter (subject complement for Gale, due to state of being expressed in participle)

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Placement of a participial phrase

To prevent confusion, a participial phrase should always be placed as close to the noun it modifies as possible. In addition, the noun must be clearly stated.

A Carrying a heavy pile of books, his foot caught on a step.

B Carrying a heavy pile of books, he caught his foot on a step.

In sentence A, there is no clear indication of who or what is performing the action expressed in the participle carrying. Certainly foot can't be logically understood to function in this way. Sentence A is an example of a dangling modifier error since the modifier (the participial phrase) is not modifying any specific noun in the sentence and is thus left "dangling." Since a person must be doing the carrying for the sentence to make sense, a noun or pronoun that refers to a person must be in the place immediately after the participial phrase, as in sentence B.

Punctuation of a participial phrase

When a participial phrase begins a sentence, a comma should be placed after the phrase.

Lifting weights for two hours, Ron developed sore muscles.

Arriving at the accident, Ben discovered that it was too late.

When the participle or participial phrase occurs in the middle of a sentence, it should be set off with commas only when the information is NOT essential to the meaning of the sentence.

The art museum, destroyed by a hurricane, was never rebuilt.

Mr. Roberts, watching his grandchildren play, drifted in and out of sleep.

Caution: If the participial phrase is necessary to the meaning of the sentence, then no commas should ever be used:

The guy wearing the orange tuxedo is my cousin.

The student scoring the highest grade on the English exam will receive a large cash award.

When a participial phrase occurs at the end of a sentence, a comma generally precedes the phrase if it modifies an earlier word in the sentence - but NOT if the phrase directly follows the word it modifies.

The local residents often saw Bob wandering through the streets.

(The phrase modifies Bob, not residents.)

Kenneth nervously watched the woman, alarmed by her large gun.

(The phrase modifies Kenneth, not woman.)

Items to remember

A participle is a verbal ending in -ing (present) or -ed, -en, -d, -t, -n, or -ne (past) that functions as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun. A participial phrase consists of a participle plus modifier(s), object(s), and/or complement(s). Participles and participial phrases must be placed as close to the nouns or pronouns they modify as possible, and those nouns or pronouns must be clearly stated. A participial phrase is set off with commas when it: a) comes at the beginning of a sentence b) interrupts a sentence as a nonessential element c) comes at the end of a sentence and is separated from the word it modifies.

Use of participial phrases in American English

This Ngram indicates the use of ‘removing’ and ‘arriving’ in American books, journals, and magazines.

Use of participial phrases in British English

This Ngram indicates the use of ‘removing’ and ‘arriving’ in British books, journals, and magazines.