"Participle" Example Sentences
1. Running is a fun activity for staying fit. (running is a present participle)
2. The jumping puppy entertained the children. (jumping is a present participle)
3. The lost hiker was found after three days. (lost is a past participle)
4. The broken vase could not be repaired. (broken is a past participle)
5. Mary enjoyed swimming in the ocean waves. (swimming is a gerund or noun participle)
6. Walking through the forest is relaxing. (walking is a gerund or noun participle)
7. I loved hearing my grandparents' stories. (hearing is a gerund or noun participle)
8. Driving long distances tires me out. (driving is a gerund or noun participle)
9. Present participles often end in -ing and convey continuous action.
10. Past participles often end in -ed, -en, -t , or -n and convey completed action.
11. Gerunds or noun participles function as nouns and are formed from verbs by adding -ing.
12. The verb "to swim" has the present participle "swimming."
13. The verb "to walk" has the gerund or noun participle form "walking."
14. The verb "to break" has the past participle "broken."
15. The children enjoyed playing in the sprinkler. (playing is a present participle)
16. The singing bird perched in the tree. (singing is a present participle)
17. The burned dinner caused the fire alarm to go off. (burned is a past participle)
18. The crumpled paper ball landed in the trash can. (crumbled is a past participle)
19. Eating healthy meals helped him lose weight. (eating is a gerund or noun participle)
20. Traveling the world has always been his dream. (traveling is a gerund or noun participle)
21. Losing his wallet upset him greatly. (losing is a gerund or noun participle)
22. Painting beauty brought him joy. (painting is a gerund or noun participle)
23. The woman walking her dog smiled at me. (walking is a present participle modifying a noun)
24. The singing of the birds filled the air. (singing is a gerund used as a noun)
25. The cracked mirror was taped together. (cracked is a past participle modifying a noun)
26. The broken pieces were swept up. (broken is a past participle modifying a noun)
27. She enjoyed running in the mornings. (running is a present participle used as a noun)
28. Swimming is good exercise. (swimming is a gerund used as a subject)
29. I love eating chocolate. (eating is a gerund used as a object)
30. Driving long distances can be tiring. (driving is a gerund used as a subject)
31. After running a few miles, he was exhausted. (running is a present participle used as an adverb)
32. The bird kept singing, despite the storm. (singing is a present participle used as an adverb)
33. Feeling tired, I lay down to rest. (feeling is a present participle used as an adverb)
34. She walked home, practicing her speech. (practicing is a present participle used as an adverb)
35. I watched the sun setting over the ocean. (setting is a present participle used as an adverb)
36. We sat listening to the orchestra play. (listening is a present participle used as an adverb)
37. The flowers lay wilted on the ground. (wilted is a past participle used as an adjective)
38. The broken cup could not be used anymore. (broken is a past participle used as an adjective)
39. The shaken puppy remained under the bed. (shaken is a past participle used as an adjective)
40. We saw the leaving train in the distance. (leaving is a present participle used as an adjective)
41. The crying baby finally fell asleep. (crying is a present participle used as an adjective)
42. We heard the buzzing of the electrical wire. (buzzing is a present participle used as a noun modifier)
43. The opening of gifts brought much excitement. (opening is a gerund used as a noun modifier)
44. The laughing child ran inside the house. (laughing is a present participle used as a noun modifier)
45. The writing on the wall was cryptic. (writing is a gerund used as a noun modifier)
46. The baking smells filled the kitchen. (baking is a gerund used as a noun modifier)
47. The stunned crowd stood in silence. (stunned is a past participle used as a noun modifier)
48. The written report was turned in on time. (written is a past participle used as a noun modifier)
49. The known facts pointed to a cover-up. (known is a past participle used as a noun modifier)
50. We enjoyed the sight of geese flying overhead. (flying is a present participle used as an object modifier)
51. They described the arriving train to police. (arriving is a present participle used as an object modifier)
52. I heard her speaking to the child. (speaking is a present participle used as an object modifier)
53. We smelled something burning in the house. (burning is a present participle used as an object modifier)
54. We watched the dancing flames in the fireplace. (dancing is a present participle used as a complement)
55. The child stayed wide-eyed all night. (wide-eyed is a participial phrase used as a complement)
56. The dog lay sleeping on the porch. (sleeping is a participial phrase used as a complement)
57. She sat stunned by the news. (stunned is a past participle used as a complement)
58. The drawing showed stick figures running. (running is a present participle used as an adverbial modifier)
59. He left walking backwards from the room. (walking is a present participle used as an adverbial modifier)
60. The light flickered dimly in the dark room. (dimly is an adverb modifying a past participle)
Common Phases
1. The
participle clause modifies the noun that follows it.
2. The sentence became confusing with several
participle clauses.
3. Running quickly, I caught the bus. (Here, "running" is a present active
participle.)
4. Woken by the alarm, I got out of bed. (Here, "woken" is a past
participle.)
5. Moved by his speech, the audience applauded loudly.
6. Baked potatoes make a great side dish.
7. The haunted house seemed frightening, creaking ominously.
8. Golden sunlight streamed through the windows.
9. Stirred by her words, the crowd began to protest.
10. Frustrated with the results, I tried again.
11. Bored with the lecture, some students started dozing off.
12. Interested in the subject, she paid close attention.
13. Repelled by the sight, I moved away quickly.
14. Frozen in fear, I couldn't move.
15. Brokenhearted, she cried for days after the breakup.
16. Frightened by the storm, the kids looked for their parents.
17. Exhausted from the hike, we rested on the trailside.
18. Intrigued by the story, I read on eagerly.
19. Pleased with her performance, the teacher smiled.
20. Annoyed by the noise, she left the room.
21. Determined to succeed, he worked long hours.
22. The
participles "stirred," "moved," and "frozen" describe feelings or states.
23. Participial phrases are formed with a
participle and any modifiers or objects.
24. Having cooked all afternoon, she was ready for a break.
25. Upon waking up, I soon realized it had all been a dream.
26. Given funding for the project, they started working immediately.
27. Being poor students, they struggled to pay tuition.
28. Having eaten already, she declined dessert.
29. Covered in mud, the boys looked guilty.
30. Sitting at the picnic table, we enjoyed the warm sunshine.
31. Preserved in aspic, the jellied salad looked bizarre.
32. Boiled in oil, the doughnuts turned out crisp.
33.Tired of waiting, I left the restaurant.
34. Expecting an easy victory, the team soon realized it was a tougher challenge.
35. Misinterpreted as an insult, her joke unintentionally caused offense.
36. Perceived as rude, his sarcasm made others uncomfortable.
37. Misunderstood as a criticism, her comment started an argument.
38. Considered obscure, the poet's works were rarely taught.
39. Believed to be lost, the painting was surprisingly found years later.
40. Said to contain mistakes, the report required revision.
41. Hailed as a genius, the artist enjoyed fame and fortune.
42. Used as evidence, the documents supported their claim.
43. Thought to be healthy, the snacks turned out to have too much sugar.
44. Supposed to arrive at noon, the guest showed up in the evening.
45. Meant as a joke, her comment caused unintended hurt feelings.
46. Regarded as the leader, she took on more responsibilities.
47. Designed to attract more customers, the ads failed miserably.
48. Written in French, the essay was difficult to read.
49. Painted by Van Gogh, the sunflower painting is iconic.
50. Loved by many, her charm and wit made her popular.
51. Founded in 1607, Jamestown was America's first permanent English colony.
52. Invited as a guest, she introduced the speaker at the conference.
53. Forgotten over time, the secret eventually came to light.
54. Renamed for the new king, the city lost its original identity.
55. Overrun by weeds, the garden required a lot of work to restore.
56. Built in the 20th century, the cathedral stands as a testament to faith.
57. Caught stealing goods, the thief was arrested immediately.
58. Released from prison, the inmate struggled to readjust to normal life.
59. Moved by the story, tears filled her eyes.
60. Startled by the noise, I dropped the plate I was holding.