Transcript NTUT Academic Writing (VI): Participial Phrases

NTUT Academic Writing
(VI): Participial Phrases
※Participle: a word formed from a verb and
used as an adj. to modify nouns.
※Participial Phrases:

participles + other modifiers;

used to modify nouns and pronouns.

To make it negative:

Ex. The car’s driver, not realizing what had
happened, continued on his way.
※Participial Phrases Formed from
Relative Clauses:

(by reducing subject pattern)
※Position and Punctuation of
Participial Phrases:

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
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A restrictive participial phrases follows the
noun it modifies.
Ex. There are twelve students receiving rewards
this year.
A nonrestrictive phrase may precede or follow
the noun it modifies.
Ex. Teresa, hurrying to catch a bus, stumbled
and fell.
Hurrying to catch a bus, Teresa stumbled and
fell.
An introductory participial phrases modifies
the noun IMMEDIATELY following it.
 Ex. Hoping for an “A,” my exam grade
disappointed me. (X)
Hoping for an “A,” I was disappointed in
my exam grade. (O)
 The participial phrase can also modify an
entire independent clause.
 Ex. The team won the championship,
shocking the opponents.

※General Form Participles—Active
Voice.
※Test Yourselves:
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1. Robotics is a complex field that combines
electrics, computer science, and mechanical
engineering.
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2. The number of students who are studying
robots is growing.

3. Soon, robots that will work in assembly plants will be
able to follow voice commands.
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4. Robots, which have the ability to withstand
temperatures and radiation levels, can
perform jobs that are too dangerous for humans.
※General Form Participles— (1)
Passive Voice:

(2) Continuous Form Participles
emphasizes the Action is Happening
Now:
※Test Yourselves:

1. Computer programs that are known as expert system will
combine textbook knowledge and rules of experience to make
decisions.

2. Computers that are programmed to diagnose diseases accurately
are important tools for doctors.

3. The uses of artificial intelligence that are now being
suggested have created excitement around the world.

4. Robots that are currently being designed will do many dangerous
jobs.

5. A robot that was built to work outside spaceships functioned
perfectly duringits first assignment.
※Perfect Form Participles:

Active (having discovered) & Passive (having been
discovered); Emphasize the COMPLETED action:
※Test Yourselves:
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1. Women around the world, who have traditionally been without political power, are beginning
to gain influence in politics and government.
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2. England, which has been ruled by queens several times in its history, elected a woman prime
minister in 1979.
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3. On the other land, voters in the United States, who have not experienced strong female
leaders at the national level, may never elect a woman president.
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4. Both India and Pakistan, which have elected women prime ministers in the past, are more
progressive in this area than the United States.

5. Alaska, which was purchased from Russia in 1867, became the 49th state of the U.S. in 1959.
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6. The state, which was once connected to Asia by a land bridge, is now separated from it by
only a few miles of water.

7. The Eskimos, who have lived in Alaska for millions of years, have adapted well to their harsh
environment.

8. A problem that is being discussed by the Alaskan government concerns the rights of Alaska’s
natives.
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9. Eskimos who want to preserve their traditional way of life do not care about the modern world.
※Editing Practice (make 5
corrections):
※Participial Phrases from Adverbial Clauses:
※Test Yourselves:
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1. Before I left home, I promised my parents that I would return.
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2. Since I made that promise four years ago, I have thought about it often.
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3. Since I am the eldest son, I am responsible for taking care of my parents.
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4. As they grow older, they will need my assistance.
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5. After I had received my B.A., I went to graduate school for two years.
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6. While I was studying at the University of Chicago, I enjoyed living in a
big city.
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7. When I think about my future, I always remember my promise.
※Editing Practice: