GED Reasoning Through Language ArtsLanguage Conventions and UsageMedium
A student is writing a narrative essay and wants to vary sentence structure. Which sentence correctly uses an introductory participial phrase?
- AQuickly running, he caught the bus just in time.
- BRunning quickly, he caught the bus just in time.
- CHe was running quickly, catching the bus just in time.
- DBecause he ran quickly, he caught the bus just in time.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Running quickly, he caught the bus just in time.
An introductory participial phrase begins with a participle (a verb form ending in -ing or -ed) and functions as an adjective, modifying the subject of the main clause. It is followed by a comma. Option A correctly uses 'Running quickly' as an introductory participial phrase modifying 'he'.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While 'quickly running' is a participial phrase, it's less common as an introductory phrase and can sometimes cause awkwardness. 'Running quickly' is the more standard and clear construction for an introductory phrase.
- C. This is a compound predicate, not an introductory participial phrase.
- D. This is an introductory adverbial clause, not a participial phrase.
Introductory Participial Phrase
An introductory participial phrase begins with a present participle (-ing) or past participle (-ed, -en) and modifies the subject of the main clause. It is always separated from the main clause by a comma.
- Starts with a participle (-ing or -ed)
- Functions as an adjective, modifying the main subject
- Must be followed by a comma
- The subject of the main clause must be the 'doer' of the action in the participle
Memory trick: Open strong, set the scene, then the main event.