Use commas to set off nonessential participial phrases

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Use commas to set off nonessential participial
phrases!

• Imhotep Says

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Participles What are they?

• Participles and Participial Phrases are a word
  or group of words acting as a verb. These words
  usually end in -ed or
• -ing.
• Some examples are
• The man chased by Imhotep tripped over a
  sarcophagus.
• Imhotep, sucking the life out of Reggie,
  regenerated his disintegrated flesh.

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How do you know Its a Phrase?

• Participial phrases by themselves do not create
  sentences. There is NO subject.
• Chased by Imhotep
• Sucking the life out of Reggie

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Whats an Essential Phrase?

• Phrases that modify common nouns do not need to
  be surrounded by commas.
• Why? The phrase is distinguishing the noun. Here
  is an example
• The man chased by Imhotep tripped over a
  sarcophagus.
• Which man? The one being chased. This phrase is
  essential in telling us which man they are
  talking about.

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Nonessential Or Essential?

• Phrases that modify proper nouns require a comma
  because they are Nonessential.
• Why? Because we already know specifically who or
  what the noun is. Here is an example
• Imhotep, sucking the life out of Reggie,
  regenerated his disintegrated flesh.
• The italicized phrase could be removed, and the
  sentence would still make sense.

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Imhotep's Examples

• Revenge of the Mummy, opening this May, will be
  the most technologically advanced roller coaster
  to date.
• The chamber walls, decorated with mummies and
  unfortunate previous passengers, are the first
  thing encountered on the ride.

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Imhoteps Test
Pass, or suffer the consequences.

• Directions Number your paper from 1-10. For
  each sentence, write the word(s) that precede
  where the commas should be placed. Ex
• 1) Imhotep sucking the life out of Reggie
  regenerated his disintegrated flesh.
• Your answer Imhotep, Reggie,

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Beware of essential phrases!
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Questions 1-5

• 1. The passengers sitting in the front row were
  more afraid than anyone else.
• 2. The Rides first launch sloping up an incline
  propels the vehicle about 40 mph.
• 3. The scarab scene bringing the vehicle to a
  stop ends with a surprise.
• 4. The mummy jumping onto the car was only
  installed in the Hollywood version
• 5. The rides last scene remaining a secret
  until opening is the best of them all.

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Questions 6-10

• 6. Reggie warning us about Imhotep is wearing a
  red cap.
• 7. The station scene designed for many flame
  effects will be a super spectacle.
• 8. The vehicle seating 16 passengers will be
  arranged in four rows of four.
• 9. The man sucking the life out of people is
  probably Imhotep.
• 10. The loading station quickly moving people
  through has two separate tracks.

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Answers

• Correct
• Launch, Incline,
• Scene, Stop,
• Correct
• Scene, Opening,
• Reggie, Imhotep,
• Scene, Effects,
• Vehicle, Passengers,
• Correct
• Station, Through,

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The Mummys Links

• A site reviewing participial phrases
• http//grammar.uoregon.edu/phrases/participialP.ht
  ml
• Reviews all phrases with a quiz
• http//www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/eduweb/grammar/course/
  sentence/2_4d.htm
• Several Examples of Phrases found here
• http//owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_v
  erbals.html

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Death is only the beginning Then there are
comma rules.
NateDog Studio Productions Alex Trzeciak