Present and Past Participles as Adjectives

What is the function of "sleeping" in this sentence?

• Sleeping is a past participle being used as an adjective

• Sleeping is the main verb in the sentence

• Sleeping the a present participle being used as a noun

• Sleeping is a present participle being used as an adjective

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'sleeping' describes the children, indicating their state during the nap. Thus, it functions as a present participle used as an adjective, making 'Sleeping is a present participle being used as an adjective' the correct choice.

What is the function of "parked" in this sentence?

• Parked is a present participle being used as an adjective

• Parked is the main verb in the sentence

• Parked is a past participle being used as an adjective

• Parked is a past participle being used as an noun

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'parked' describes the car, indicating its state. It is a past participle functioning as an adjective, modifying 'car'. Therefore, the correct choice is that 'parked' is a past participle being used as an adjective.

Identify the participles in the sentence:

• peeled

• sliced

• peeled and sliced

• can be added

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'peeled' and 'sliced' are participles describing the cucumber. They function as adjectives, indicating the state of the cucumber, making 'peeled and sliced' the correct choice.

Identify the participle in the sentence:

Mary wrote a letter to the frozen Santa who was sitting out in the cold.

• sitting

• frozen

• was sitting

• wrote

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'frozen' is the participle describing Santa. Participles are verb forms used as adjectives, and 'frozen' modifies Santa, indicating his state. 'Sitting' is also a participle, but 'frozen' is the correct answer here.

Identify the participle in the sentence and tell what word it is modifying.

• Frozen is the participle modifying the word lake

• Kicked is the participle modifying the word ball

• Frozen is the participle modifying the word ball

• Kicked is the participle modifying the word James

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'frozen' is the participle that describes the noun 'lake', indicating its state. Therefore, the correct choice is: 'Frozen is the participle modifying the word lake'.

What purpose does does "tired" serve in this sentence?

• Tired is the main verb in the sentence.

• Tired is a present participle being used as an adjective

• Tired is a present participle being used as an noun

• Tired is a past participle being used as an adjective

Answer explanation

In the sentence, "tired" is a past participle used as an adjective to describe the runners. It indicates their state after finishing the race, making "tired" function as a descriptive word rather than a verb or noun.

What purpose does "thinking" serve in the sentence?

• Thinking is a present participle being used as an adjective

• Thinking is a past participle being used used an as adjective

• Thinking is a present participle being used as an noun

• Thinking is the main verb in the sentence

Answer explanation

In the sentence, "thinking" is a present participle that describes what Janey is doing while sitting on her porch. It functions as an adjective, providing more information about her state of mind.

Participle or Verb?

Smiling, the mother gathered her toddler into her arms.

• Verb

• Participle

Answer explanation

'Smiling' functions as a participle here, describing the mother while she gathers her toddler. It acts as an adjective rather than a main verb, thus the correct choice is 'Participle'.

Identify the participle in the following sentence: The barking dog kept the neighbors awake all night.

• No participle

• awake

• kept

• barking

Answer explanation

The participle in the sentence is 'barking', which describes the dog. 'Kept' is a verb, and 'awake' is an adjective. Therefore, 'barking' is the correct choice as it functions as a participle.

Identify the participle in the following sentence:

The excited children ran towards the ice cream truck.

• towards

• No participle

• ran

• excited

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'excited' is the participle, describing the children. It functions as an adjective, while 'ran' is the main verb. 'Towards' is a preposition, and 'No participle' is incorrect.