1
The glowing screen lit the room. “Glowing” modifies screen.
8 Participle Examples
Use these examples to study structure, specificity, tone, and variation. They are demonstrations—not claims about a real person or organization unless the example itself makes that explicit.
Before you copy
What to notice in the examples
Accurate participle use depends on knowing whether the form belongs to a verb phrase or modifies a noun, and on placing modifying participles close enough to the intended noun to avoid dangling or comic meanings.
- Identify the grammatical job participle is doing in the sentence rather than judging it by appearance alone.
- Check the words immediately around the participle for agreement, punctuation, attachment, or boundary clues that determine whether the construction is correct.
- Read the complete sentence for clarity and rhythm after editing the participle, because a technically valid form can still be awkward or ambiguous.
2
The report was completed yesterday. “Completed” is part of the passive verb phrase.
3
Exhausted by the delay, Priya left early. “Exhausted” modifies Priya.
4
The broken latch needs replacing. “Broken” modifies latch.
5
We are reviewing the contract. “Reviewing” works with are in the progressive verb phrase.
6
The documents stored in the archive are scanned annually. “Stored in the archive” modifies documents.
7
Smiling at the result, the analyst closed the spreadsheet. “Smiling” logically modifies analyst.
8
Having finished the interview, Lena sent a thank-you note. The perfect participial phrase establishes earlier completion.
Keep the underlying decision or pattern, then replace the subject, evidence, relationship, constraints, and tone with details that belong to your situation. If your final line still works after swapping only one noun, it may be too close to the example.