e <A participial phrase consists of a participle plus associated words. Participles are verb forms that, when used in participial phrases, function as adjectives or adverbs. A present participle ends in —ing and indicates an action currently being carried out. A past participle ends in ed, -en, -e, -n, -d, or —t and indicates some past action. O The chef preparing dinner trained in France. (present participial phrase as adjective) O The background, sketched in lightly, scented the features of he woman in the painting. (past participial phrase as adjective) O She left whistling a jolly melody. (present participial phrase as adverb) e A perfect participial phrase consist of having or having been plus a past participle and any associated words. Like a past participial phrase, it indicates a past action. Some participial phrases that modify person or things distinguish them from others in the same class. These phrases are written without commas. Other phrases provide more information about he persons or things they modify and are set off with commas. O Having alerted the townspeople about the tornado, the sound truck returned to the city garage. (perfect participial phrase) O Having been alerted to the tornado, the townspeople sought shelter in their basement. (perfect participial phrase) Oo The man fixing my car is a master mechanic. (phrase distinguishes man fixing car from others) o game, rested in the shade. by the tennis Mr. Welsh, fatig ued (phrase provides more information about Mr. Welsh.) 20