Participial Phrases II
By: Sean
Savoie
We should explore how participial
phrases can help a writer create varied sentence patterns. We should now take a
look at last week’s example sentences and see what possible sentences can be
formed. Keep in mind that other grammar techniques that will allow you to
develop many more possible combinations, but for now check your answers to
better understand what possibilities are available to you. Again, notice how
these phrases can be put in different positions in the sentence.
1.
John got a high score on the SAT.
He
knew he would get into a pretty good college.
He
had excellent grades in almost all of his classes.
Answers: a) Getting a high score on the SAT, John knew he would get into a pretty good college, having excellent grades in almost all of his classes.
b)
Having excellent grades in almost all of his classes, John knew he would
get into a pretty good college, getting a high score on the SAT.
c) Getting a high score on the SAT, John, having excellent grades in almost all of his classes, knew he would get into a pretty good college.
d) Having excellent grades in almost all of his classes, John, getting a high score on the SAT, knew he would get into a pretty good college.
e) Having excellent grades in almost all of
his classes and getting a high score on the SAT, John knew he would get into a
pretty good college.
Incorrect
answer: Knowing he would get into a pretty good college, John got a high score
on the SAT, having excellent grades in almost all of his classes.
It is important to make sure that the participial phrases are
all clearly about John and not about another noun in the sentence. This is an
error some young writers make when it is not clear which noun is being modified.
Also notice that the main clause of each sentence is: John knew he would get
into a pretty good college. This must be so because the main clause is a result
of the phrases.
2.
The crowd screamed for more music.
They
thoroughly enjoyed the performance.
They
were not willing to leave the concert hall.
Some answers: a) Not willing to leave the concert hall, the crowd screamed for more music, thoroughly enjoying it.
b) Not willing to leave the concert hall,
the crowd, thoroughly enjoying the music, screamed for more.
3.
Three young men walked all the way down the street.
They
wanted to find a good coffee.
They
had to work until very late.
Some answers: a) Having to work until very late,
three young men walked all the way down the street, wanting to find a good
coffee.
b) Having to work until very late, three
young men, wanting to find a good coffee, walked all the way down the street.
4.
Paul told us the name of the film producer.
He
just saw the film last night.
He
was very excited about the special effects.
Some answers: a) Having just seen the film last night, Paul, very excited about the special effects, told us the name of the film producer.
b) Very excited about the special effects,
Paul, having just seen the film last night, told us the
name of the film producer.
5.
Jill was able to suggest a great restaurant in the
area.
She
had just stayed there for two weeks.
She
knew the kind of food we wanted to eat.
Some answers: a) Having just stayed there for two weeks, Jill was able to suggest a great restaurant in the area, knowing the kind of food we wanted to eat.
b) Having just stayed there for two weeks, Jill, knowing the kind of food we wanted to eat, was able to suggest a great restaurant in the area.
c)
Knowing the kind of food we wanted to eat, Jill was able to suggest a great
restaurant in the area, having just stayed there for two weeks.
d)
Knowing the kind of food we wanted to eat, Jill,
having just stayed there for two weeks, was able to suggest a great restaurant
in the area.
Notice how, in number 4, it is not a good idea to put the participial after the word producer. This would result in confusion because the producer is also a person. Also notice that in both numbers 4 and 5 the participial is: having seen and having stayed.