Summary ''Participial Phrase''

 Participial phrase

A participial phrase is a word group consisting of a present participle (also known as an -ing form) or past participle (also known as an -en form), plus any modifiers, objects, and complements. A participial phrase commonly functions as an adjective. Participial phrase dressed up like verbs, but they function as adjectives to describe noun.
Punctuate a participle phrase:
1. When a participle phrase introduces a main clause, separate the two sentence components with a comma. The pattern looks like this:
Participle Phrase + , + Main Clause
Example: Glazed with barbecue sauce, the rack of ribs lay nestled next to a pile of sweet coleslaw.
2. When a participle phrase concludes a main clause and is describing the word right in front of it, you need no punctuation to connect the two sentence parts. The pattern looks like this:
Main Clause + Ø + Participle Phrase
Example: Mariah risked petting the pit bull wagging its stub tail.
3. But when a participle phrase concludes a main clause and modifies a word farther up in the sentence, you will need a comma. The pattern looks like this:
Main Clause + , + Participle Phrase
Example: Cooper enjoyed dinner at Audrey's house, agreeing to a large slice of cherry pie even though he was full to the point of bursting.
Participle phrases are the most common modifier to misplace or dangle. In clear, logical sentences, you will find modifiers right next to the words they describe.
‘’Shouting with happiness, William celebrated his chance to interview at SunTrust’’.
Notice that the participle phrase sits right in front of William, the one doing the shouting.
If too much distance separates a modifier and its target, the modifier is misplaced.
‘’Draped neatly on a hanger, William borrowed Grandpa's old suit to wear to the interview’’
The suit, not William, is on the hanger!
The modifier must come closer to the word it is meant to describe:
‘’For the interview, William borrowed Grandpa's old suit, which was draped neatly on a hanger’’.
If the sentence fails to include a target, the modifier is dangling.
‘’Straightening his tie and smoothing his hair, the appointment time for the interview had finally arrived’’.
The conclusion, I assume William is about to interview, but where is he in the sentence? We need a target for the participle phrase straightening his tie and smoothing his hair. Straightening his tie and smoothing his hair, William was relieved that the appointment time for the interview had finally arrived.