The present participle is also used as an adjective before a noun to describe the noun (walking shoes), as a noun (a grouping of selected plants) and in a nonfinite clause (Arriving too early at the railway station, he found a seat for a nap.)
Examples:
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We had to run as fast as we could in the pouring rain.
(The present participle pouring acts an adjective modifying the noun rain.)
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I have spent one hour, maybe more, looking for my missing car keys.
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Creatures from an alien planet were our leading topic of conversation.
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His failing eyesight makes it hard for him to recognize his own daughter.
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The crumbling monument to the former leader was pulled down.
Examples:
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Arriving late, Sam was told to apologize.
(Arriving late is a participial phrase that acts as an adjective modifying Sam.)
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The shadowy figure disappearing into the darkness was thought to be a ghost.(The participial phrase disappearing into the darkness modifies the noun figure.)
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Being the last train, it carried only one passenger and his dog.
(Being the last train is a participial phrase that acts as an adjective modifying the pronoun it.)
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Looking at the sea, he said there must be plenty of fish in the sea.
(The participial phrase looking at the sea modifies the pronoun he.)
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Raising our glasses, we toasted the bride and groom.
(The participial phrase raising our glasses modifies the pronoun we.)
Examples:
- We heard terrified screaming for help in the park.
- She does her weekly shopping on Sunday.
- We could hear the distant howling of a wolf.
- It was good timing to reach home just before it started to rain.
- There was much loud cheering from their supporters.