Participial Phrase Practice

Name: _______________________________________ Score: ________________

Exercise Directions: Find the participial phrases in the following sentences.  Underline the
participial phrase and then encircle the noun or pronoun it modifies.

1. Working in the lab, the scientist created a robot.

2. Early films were still pictures projected on a wall.

3. Moving pictures came later.

4. Food sealed in cans was given to the campers.

5. Quickly frozen food is necessary to preserve the freshness.

6. Coming into the room, the boy threw his books on the desk.

7. Joe, searching for the code, was really excited.

8. The store sold packaged bakery.

9. Pork and beans canned in tomato sauce is my favorite.

10. Relaxing on his back patio, Jeff fell asleep.

11. Stock traders investing in foreign markets have enjoyed a 40% yield this year.

12. The first city attacked by the troops was in the middle of the desert.

13. Some plants growing at an angle can straighten themselves up.

14. Three teenagers treated in the emergency room yesterday required stitches.

15. The ski run covered with the most new powder attracted huge crowds of skiers.

16. The reporter describing the fiesta didn't reveal all of the colorful details.

17. The restaurant served potatoes baked in a special salt shell.

18. The Red Cross sent helpers to all the countries stricken by the tsunami.

19. The game scheduled for Tuesday was moved up to Monday.

20. The horse terrified by the barking chihuahua bucked and reared.
Finding Gerunds
Underline the gerund in each sentence. Then identify how each one is used.

1. Do you enjoy traveling?

2. Dancing was the highlight of the evening.

3. Lessons in weaving will be given on Tuesdays.

4. His favorite pastime is fishing.

5. Sarah signed up for swimming.

6. Practicing is very important to a successful team.

7. They hate rehearsing.

8. Wipe your feet before entering.

9. She has a great talent, acting.

10. Sailing is my favorite sport.

Finding Gerund Phrases

Underline the complete gerund phrase in each sentence. Then identify how each one is used. Be able
also to identify the composition of the phrase by labeling its parts.

1. Filling out a job application takes a long time.

2. Credit for introducing tennis to the United States is usually given to Mary Ewing Outerbridge.

3. Goldenrod has been falsely accused of causing hay fever.

4. We appreciated Mr. Morrison’s judging the art contest.

5. Until 1912, women were barred from participating in Olympic events.

6. Keith has a new goal, writing programs for his computer.

7. Landing a jet plane on the deck of an aircraft carrier is one of the most difficult maneuvers in aviation.

8. My weekend job is parking cars at a restaurant.

9. After Thanksgiving I like eating leftover turkey.

10. A grasshopper is capable of jumping a distance of about two feet.

Finding Infinitives
Underline the infinitive in each sentence. The label how each one is used – noun, adjective, or adverb.

1. Those are the strawberries to freeze.

2. The purpose of the story was to instruct.

3. This weekend Karl plans to study.

4. Carnegie Hall has a reputation to maintain.

5. That game is fun to play.

6. The best horse to ride is Nice Boy.

7. Pilar’s desire to travel is strong.

8. Do you have to leave?

9. Human hair is almost impossible to destroy.

10 . At an early age, children can learn to swim.

Finding infinitive Phrases

Underline the infinitive phrase in each sentence. Then identify how each one is used. Be able also to
identify the composition of the phrase by labeling its parts.

1. As a reporter, she had to verify his story.

2. It took Leonardo da Vinci about five years to complete his famous painting Mona Lisa.

3. Snakes do not seem to care for one another’s company.

4. Did you feel the room vibrate slightly?

5. Try to find the answer to the math problem.

6. From the balcony we were unable to hear the actors.

7. To escape its enemies, the flying fish leaps out of the water and glides through the air.

8. A baseball can be made to curve six and a half inches from its original course.

9. It was very thoughtful of you to send those flowers.

10. A snake is unable to close its eyes.

Name: ___________________________ Year&Section:________________________Score: ________
Quiz: Gerund Phrases
Underline the complete gerund phrase in each sentence. Then identify how each one is used. Be able
also to identify the composition of the phrase by labeling its parts.

1. A flea is capable of jumping 13 inches in a single leap.

2. I enjoy collecting old coins.

3. Using solar energy is one answer to fuel conservation.

4. Your next chore is taking out the trash.

5. Most snakes can go a year without eating anything.

6. Flying in a helicopter is very noisy.

7. I don’t like going to the movies by myself.

8. The highlight of the party was watching the magician.

9. My uncle enjoys a different type of sport, hunting animals with a camera.

10. Dad was surprised at my entering the poetry contest.

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Name: ___________________________ Year&Section:________________________Score: ________

Quiz: Infinitive Phrase
Underline the infinitive phrase in each sentence. Then identify how each one is used. Be able also to
identify the composition of the phrase by labeling its parts.

1. We had two hours to finish the test.

2. I decided to serve tacos for dinner.

3. We plan to ride down the rapids of Colorado River.

4. No one would dare begin without him.

5. To save time, artists usually draw cartoon characters with only three fingers and a thumb.

6. To repair watches takes patience and skill.

7. Which is the best computer to buy for a teenager?

8. The lens of the eye continues to grow throughout a person’s life.

9. His secret ambition was to climb Mount Everest.

10. He trained fully to become a nurse.

1. You have two choices, to stay or to go.
2. Bill tried to warn them of the problem.
3. Jim had no choice except to resign from the position.
4. The child was afraid to tell the truth.
5. The teachers came to offer their service.
6. Joan had a scheme to make money.
7. I sat down to rest.
8. Ginger and her sister's plan was to see a lawyer.
9. The scouts stopped to buy some supplies.
10. The boss asked me to send the message to her brother.