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Adjective and Adverb Phrases

14d. A prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or a pronoun is called an adjective phrase.
EXAMPLE The woman in the seat next to Mr. Holt is our guest speaker. [In the seat modifies the
noun woman, and next to Mr. Holt modifies the noun seat.]

14e. A prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb is called an adverb
phrase.

EXAMPLE During spring break we traveled to Washington, D.C. [Both prepositional phrases
modify the verb traveled.]

EXERCISE A In the following sentences, draw an arrow from each underlined prepositional phrase to the
word or words it modifies. Then, identify the phrase by writing above it ADJ for adjective phrase or ADV
for adverb phrase.
ADV ADJ
Example 1. On Tuesday our science class took a field trip to the planetarium.

1. On the first night, the hikers camped near the Salinas River.
2. Most of this artwork was created by ninth-grade students.
3. Everyone I have met at my new school has been extremely kind to me.
4. Throughout the summer, I worked as a landscape gardener.
5. For dinner we will serve baked chicken with red beans and rice.

EXERCISE B Underline the two prepositional phrases in each of the following sentences. Draw an arrow
from each phrase to the word or words it modifies. Then, identify each phrase by writing above it ADJ
for adjective phrase or ADV for adverb phrase.
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ADV ADJ
Example 1. Scott works at the pet shop in the mall.

6. Near the entrance to the cave, we discovered an old map.

7. The movie’s ending took everyone in the theater by surprise.
8. What are some of the differences between the African elephant and the Asian elephant?
9. According to this recipe, the casserole should be baked for thirty minutes.
10. All of these lovely quilts were made by hand.
11. The development of the Internet has changed our lives in many ways.
12. Through the telescope we could see clearly the rings around Saturn.
13. In the living room, Sam chased the kitten around the couch.
14. After sunset is there still enough light for photography?
15. Austin, Texas, has been the capital both of a state and of a country.

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The Participle
14f. A participle is a verb form that can be used as an adjective.
(1) Present participles end in –ing.
EXAMPLE The screaming fans spurred the team to victory. [Screaming modifies the noun fans.]

(2) Past participles usually end in –d or –ed. Other past participles are formed irregularly.
EXAMPLES This restaurant’s specialty is grilled salmon. [Grilled modifies the noun salmon.]
The lake appears frozen. [Frozen modifies the noun lake.]

EXERCISE In each of the following sentences, underline the participle that is used as an adjective. Then,
draw an arrow from the participle to the word it modifies.
Example 1. During the trial, the defendant recanted his signed confession.

1. The pacing lion made us nervous.

2. A part of the broken bat nearly hit the runner on third base.
3. Our football team had a winning season.
4. The hunted animal camouflaged itself.
5. All new employees must first complete a six-week training program.
6. The road sign read, “Watch for falling rocks!”
7. I had forgotten to add diced onions to the salad.
8. One movie critic called the movie disturbing.
9. Throughout the storm the little puppy remained under the bed, whimpering.

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

10. Would you please remove the whistling teakettle from the burner?
11. Typed hastily, the report contained several errors.
12. Harper Lee’s only published novel is To Kill a Mockingbird.
13. Our cat’s paw prints appear all over the freshly painted picnic table.
14. Startled, the young deer bounded across the creek.
15. Lying in the shade, the dog quickly fell asleep.
16. Lifting the piano, the worker pulled a muscle in his back.
17. When I proofread my report, I found two misspelled words.
18. On the windshield of every parked vehicle was an advertisement for the county fair.
19. The interviewer asked the celebrated author about her recent novel.
20. According to the legend, no one ever found the buried treasure.

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The Participial Phrase

14g. A participial phrase is used as an adjective and consists of a participle and any complements or
modifiers the participle has.

EXAMPLES We just saw Carlos playing soccer in the park. [The participial phrase, which con-
sists of the present participle playing, the direct object soccer, and the prepositional
phrase in the park, modifies the noun Carlos.]
The crew of the space shuttle launched on Friday will repair the satellite. [The par-
ticipial phrase, which consists of the past participle launched and the prepositional
phrase on Friday, modifies the noun space shuttle.]

EXERCISE Underline the participial phrase in each of the following sentences. Then, draw an arrow to the
word the phrase modifies.
Example 1. Climbing over the fence, the scout leader ripped his uniform.

1. On vacation we stayed at an inn built in the late eighteenth century.

2. Working for the florist, Langston learned about many varieties of plants.
3. The woman standing behind the podium is Ms. Kwan, our principal.
4. Is a baseball card autographed by Sammy Sosa very valuable?
5. The dog, searching for food, roamed the neighborhood.
6. Through my binoculars I spotted a hummingbird feeding on the nectar of a gladiolus.
7. The horse, walking slowly, approached the trainer.
8. We saw ahead of us a deer leaping across the highway.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

9. The students, disturbed by the noise outside, could not concentrate on their class work.
10. Walking along the beach, we looked for colorful seashells.
11. Ontario, situated between Quebec and Manitoba, is Canada’s most populous province.
12. Some literary critics consider that novel the best one ever written.
13. Walking through my new neighborhood, I met many friendly people.
14. Completed about 1506, Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, now hangs in the Louvre.
15. Glenn found on the Internet several good articles related to the topic of his science report.
16. Blowing her whistle, the lifeguard signaled the swimmers to get out of the pool.
17. Enchanted by the story, the children pleaded with Mr. Torres to tell another.
18. The student sitting at the first desk in the second row is an exchange student from Brazil.
19. Boarding Air Force One, the president smiled and waved at the enthusiastic crowd.
20. Training hard, the gymnasts practiced their floor exercises.

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Participles and Participial Phrases

14f. A participle is a verb form that can be used as an adjective.
There are two kinds of participles: present participles, which end in –ing, and past participles,
which end in –d or –ed or are irregularly formed.

14g. A participial phrase is used as an adjective and consists of a participle and any complements or
modifiers the participle has.

EXAMPLE Disappointed with my performance, I asked my opponent for a rematch. [The par-
ticipial phrase, which consists of the past participle Disappointed and the preposi-
tional phrase with my performance, modifies the pronoun I.]

EXERCISE A In each of the following sentences, underline the participle that is used as an adjective.
Draw an arrow from the participle to the word it modifies.
Example 1. Soaring ticket sales made the team owners happy.

1. The participating players gathered on the field.

2. Cheering fans shouted the names of favorite players.
3. When Reginald came on the field, the delighted crowd roared.
4. Swaggering, he waved to the crowd.
5. Later, the winning team rushed off the field.

EXERCISE B Underline the participial phrases in the following sentences. Draw an arrow from each
participial phrase to the word it modifies.
Example 1. Sifted at the site, the mounds of dirt yielded pieces of pottery and glass.

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

6. The archaeologist worked slowly, examining each particle of dirt carefully.
7. Artifacts buried in the site were valuable.
8. Serving as clues to early life, artifacts are like puzzle pieces.
9. The archaeologist, recording all efforts and observations, logged her progress.
10. A computer, given certain data, can help her date her findings.
11. We saw the archaeologist brushing dirt off an old statue.
12. Examining the statue, the archaeologist estimated its value.
13. Doesn’t this artifact resemble one uncovered earlier?
14. Everyone working at the archaeological excavation was learning a great deal about the past.
15. An archaeological excavation would be an exciting experience for anyone interested in past
cultures.

68 ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE | Third Course