GED Reasoning Through Language ArtsLanguage Conventions and UsageMedium
A student is writing an essay and wants to vary sentence structure. Which sentence contains a properly used introductory participial phrase?
- AHe saw the dog, running quickly, chasing the ball.
- BRunning quickly and barking loudly, the dog was happy.
- CThe dog running quickly chased the ball across the park.
- DRunning quickly, the dog chased the ball across the park.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Running quickly, the dog chased the ball across the park.
Option A correctly uses 'Running quickly' as an introductory participial phrase, modifying 'the dog' and set off by a comma. The phrase describes the dog's action before the main clause. Option B places the phrase incorrectly. Option C uses it as a non-essential phrase. Option D has a participial phrase, but 'the dog was happy' isn't as direct a action as 'chased the ball'.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This option uses 'running quickly' as a non-essential phrase mid-sentence, not an introductory one.
- B. While 'Running quickly and barking loudly' is a participial phrase, the main clause 'the dog was happy' is a bit less active than 'chased the ball' and 'A' is a more classic example of an introductory participial phrase modifying the subject of the following clause.
- C. This option incorporates 'running quickly' within the sentence without proper comma separation for an introductory phrase.
Introductory Participial Phrase
An introductory participial phrase begins with a participle (a verb form ending in -ing or -ed/-en) and functions as an adjective, modifying the subject of the main clause. It is always followed by a comma.
- Starts with a participle (-ing or -ed/-en).
- Modifies the subject of the main clause.
- Always followed by a comma.
- Adds descriptive detail to the sentence's beginning.
Memory trick: Start with a verb, comma you must observe.