NTUT Academic NTUT Academic Writing (Week 4): Writing (Week 4): Participial PhrasesParticipial Phrases

※※Participle: a word formed from Participle: a word formed from a verb and used as an adjective a verb and used as an adjective

to modify nouns.to modify nouns.

※※Participial Phrases:Participial Phrases:

• participles + other modifiers; participles + other modifiers;

• used to modify nouns and pronouns.used to modify nouns and pronouns.

• To make it negative: To make it negative:

• Ex. The car’s driver,Ex. The car’s driver, not not realizing realizing what had happened, continued on his what had happened, continued on his way. way.

※※Participial Phrases Participial Phrases Formed from Relative Formed from Relative

Clauses:Clauses:• (by reducing subject pattern) (by reducing subject pattern)

※※Position and Punctuation Position and Punctuation of Participial Phrases:of Participial Phrases:

• A restrictive participial phrases A restrictive participial phrases follows the noun it modifies.follows the noun it modifies.

• Ex. There are twelve students Ex. There are twelve students receiving rewards this year.receiving rewards this year.

• A nonrestrictive phrase may A nonrestrictive phrase may precede or follow the noun it precede or follow the noun it modifies.modifies.

• Ex. Teresa, hurrying to catch a bus, Ex. Teresa, hurrying to catch a bus, stumbled and fell.stumbled and fell.

• Hurrying to catch a bus, Teresa Hurrying to catch a bus, Teresa stumbled and fell.stumbled and fell.

• An introductory participial phrases An introductory participial phrases modifies the noun IMMEDIATELY modifies the noun IMMEDIATELY following it.following it.

• Ex. Hoping for an “A,” Ex. Hoping for an “A,” my exammy exam grade grade

disappointed me. (X)disappointed me. (X)

Hoping for an “A,” Hoping for an “A,” I I was disappointed was disappointed in in

my exam grade. (O)my exam grade. (O)• The participial phrase can also The participial phrase can also

modify an entire independent clause.modify an entire independent clause.• Ex. The team won the championshipEx. The team won the championship, ,

shocking the opponentsshocking the opponents..

※※General Form ParticiplesGeneral Form Participles—Active Voice. —Active Voice.

※※Test Yourselves: Test Yourselves: • 1. Robotics is a complex field that combines 1. Robotics is a complex field that combines electrics, computer science, and mechanical electrics, computer science, and mechanical engineering.engineering.

• 2. The number of students who are studying 2. The number of students who are studying robots is growing.robots is growing.

• 3. Soon, robots that will work in assembly 3. Soon, robots that will work in assembly plants will be plants will be

able to follow voice commands.able to follow voice commands.

• 4. Robots, which have the ability to withstand 4. Robots, which have the ability to withstand temperatures and radiation levels, cantemperatures and radiation levels, can perform jobs that are too dangerous for perform jobs that are too dangerous for

humans. humans.

※※General Form Participles— General Form Participles— (1) Passive Voice:(1) Passive Voice:

• (2) Continuous Form Participles (2) Continuous Form Participles emphasizes the Action emphasizes the Action

is Happening Now: is Happening Now:

※※Test Yourselves:Test Yourselves:• 1. Computer programs that are known as expert system will 1. Computer programs that are known as expert system will

combine combine textbook knowledge and rules of experience to make textbook knowledge and rules of experience to make

decisions.decisions.

• 2. Computers that are programmed to diagnose diseases 2. Computers that are programmed to diagnose diseases accurately accurately

are important tools for doctors.are important tools for doctors.

• 3. The uses of artificial intelligence that are now being 3. The uses of artificial intelligence that are now being suggested have suggested have

created excitement around the world.created excitement around the world.

• 4. Robots that are currently being designed will do many 4. Robots that are currently being designed will do many dangerous dangerous

jobs.jobs.

• 5. A robot that was built to work outside spaceships 5. A robot that was built to work outside spaceships functioned functioned

perfectly during its first assignment. perfectly during its first assignment.

※※Perfect Form Participles:Perfect Form Participles:• Active (having discovered) & Passive (having Active (having discovered) & Passive (having been discovered); Emphasize the COMPLETED been discovered); Emphasize the COMPLETED

action:action:

※※Test Yourselves:Test Yourselves:• 1. Women around the world, who have traditionally been without political power, are 1. Women around the world, who have traditionally been without political power, are

beginning to gain beginning to gain influence in politics and government.influence in politics and government.

• 2. England, which has been ruled by queens several times in its history, elected a woman 2. England, which has been ruled by queens several times in its history, elected a woman prime minister prime minister

in 1979.in 1979.

• 3. On the other land, voters in the United States, who have not experienced strong female 3. On the other land, voters in the United States, who have not experienced strong female leaders at the leaders at the

national level, may never elect a woman president.national level, may never elect a woman president.

• 4. Both India and Pakistan, which have elected women prime ministers in the past, are more 4. Both India and Pakistan, which have elected women prime ministers in the past, are more progressive progressive

in this area than the United States.in this area than the United States.

• 5. Alaska, which was purchased from Russia in 1867, became the 49th state of the U.S. in 5. Alaska, which was purchased from Russia in 1867, became the 49th state of the U.S. in 1959.1959.

• 6. The state, which was once connected to Asia by a land bridge, is now separated from it by 6. The state, which was once connected to Asia by a land bridge, is now separated from it by only a few only a few

miles of water.miles of water.

• 7. The Eskimos, who have lived in Alaska for millions of years, have adapted well to their harsh 7. The Eskimos, who have lived in Alaska for millions of years, have adapted well to their harsh environment.environment.

• 8. A problem that is being discussed by the Alaskan government concerns the rights of Alaska’s 8. A problem that is being discussed by the Alaskan government concerns the rights of Alaska’s natives.natives.

• 9. Eskimos who wish to preserve their traditional way of life do not care about the modern 9. Eskimos who wish to preserve their traditional way of life do not care about the modern world. world.

※※Editing Practice (make 5 Editing Practice (make 5

corrections):corrections):

※※Participial Phrases from Adverbial Participial Phrases from Adverbial

Clauses:Clauses:

※※Test Yourselves:Test Yourselves:

• 1. Before I left home, I promised my parents that I would return. 1. Before I left home, I promised my parents that I would return.

• 2. Since I made that promise four years ago, I have thought 2. Since I made that promise four years ago, I have thought about it often.about it often.

• 3. Since I am the eldest son, I am responsible for taking care of 3. Since I am the eldest son, I am responsible for taking care of my parents.my parents.

• 4. As they grow older, they will need my assistance.4. As they grow older, they will need my assistance.

• 5. After I had received my B.A., I went to graduate school for two 5. After I had received my B.A., I went to graduate school for two years.years.

• 6. While I was studying at the University of Chicago, I enjoyed 6. While I was studying at the University of Chicago, I enjoyed living in a living in a

big city.big city.

• 7. When I think about my future, I always remember my promise. 7. When I think about my future, I always remember my promise.

※※Editing Practice: Editing Practice: