Punctuating Participial Phrases
What's a participial phrase?
A participial phrase is a phrase that is based on a verb ending with "ing" or "ed" that is used as an adjective. Participial phrases are not the actual verbs in a sentence; instead, they add context for the main action.
What does it look like?
I actually used a simple on in that first sentence. Look up: see how I used the verb "ending" to describe what kind of verb I meant? In that context, "ending" is an adjective used to describe "verb."
Here's a little more complicated version:
"The author, speaking from John’s view on his relationship with Kathy, writes with incredible clarity." See the participial phrase in there? I put it in bold. It adds context to the main sentence, which is "The author writes with incredible clarity."
Here's a little more complicated version:
"The author, speaking from John’s view on his relationship with Kathy, writes with incredible clarity." See the participial phrase in there? I put it in bold. It adds context to the main sentence, which is "The author writes with incredible clarity."
How do I do it?
You punctuate a participial phrase the same as an appositive phrase, or any non-restrictive phrase or clause: you separate it with commas on either side. See those commas up there? The one before speaking and after Kathy? Do that.
More examples
Smiling cruelly, the wolf advanced on its prey. "What did you think you were doing?" the wolf asked, licking his chops. The lamb, headed back to his mother, stopped abruptly.