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 PHRASES AND CLAUSES
INTRODUCTORY -ING WORD GROUPS
Like long prepositional phrases, -ing word groups that come at the beginning of a sentence
before the subject are always set off with a comma. Always place a comma after an -ing word
group that begins a sentence and comes before the subject.

[Shaking (because of nervousness)], the tardy student tiptoed (into class) and sat (on the back
row).

[Adopting a kitten], the single man overcame part (of his loneliness).

[Reaching (into the jar)], Roy found a chocolate chip cookie.

[Learning (of a local job opportunity)], my brother moved (from Fort Smith) back (to Harrison).

[Rushing (through the unit test)], the students did not achieve the required 80%.
 PHRASES AND CLAUSES

-ING WORD GROUPS

An -ing word group (also known as a present participial phrase) is a phrase that begins with
an -ing word formed from a verb and that also contains other words.

Mr. Ezell found Joey [reading a sports magazine.]

In this example, reading a sports magazine is an -ing word group.

The employer rewarded his employee (with a pay raise),

[realizing his value (to the company)].

In this sentence, realizing his value to the company is an -ing word group. The prepositional
phrase to the company is a part of the -ing word group.

The tardy student, [shaking (because of nervousness)],

tiptoed (into class) and sat (on the back row).

In this example, shaking because of nervousness is an -ing word group. The prepositional
phrase because of nervousness is a part of the -ing word group.

[Looking (at the lab clock)] and [realizing the time], the students
rushed (to their next class) (without signing out).
This last example contains two -ing word groups, looking at the lab clock and realizing the
time.

NOTE: In each of these examples, the first word of the -ing word group is not called the verb
of the sentence, and another word in the sentence (in the examples found, rewarded,
tiptoed, sat, and rushed) is called the verb. Each of the above examples would be a
complete sentence with a subject and a verb even without the -ing word group in the
sentence.

Mr. Ezell found Joey.

The employer rewarded his employee (with a pay raise).

The tardy student tiptoed (into class) and sat (on the back row).

The students rushed (to their next class) (without signing out).
 PHRASES AND CLAUSES

COMMA RULES WITH –ING WORD GROUPS

Like most prepositional phrases, -ing word groups that come at the beginning of a sentence
before the subject are set off with a comma. Unlike prepositional phrases, -ing word groups are
usually set off with commas even when they appear at other places in the sentence.

Study the following comma rules very carefully. Be sure that you understand each of the rules.

-ING WORD GROUPS STARTING A SENTENCE

RULE #1

Always place a comma after an –ing word group that begins a sentence and comes before the
subject.

[Shivering (with cold)], the dog came (into the house).

[Reaching (for the sugar)], I knocked over a glass.

-ING WORD GROUPS IN THE MIDDLE OF A SENTENCE

RULE #2

Usually when an –ing word group comes in the middle of a sentence between the subject and
verb, you should place commas on both sides of it (both before and after the phrase). There
should be a definite pause before and after the –ing word group in the sentence when commas
are placed there.

My father, [hearing (of this opportunity)], moved our family (to Oregon).

Anne [writing too rapidly], made many errors.

Occasionally, an –ing word group in the middle of a sentence is essential to identify the subject
it modifies. In such case, no commas are needed around the word group. The –ing word group
is usually considered essential if the meaning of the sentence changes when you take the word
group out.

The workers [participating (in the walkout)] were fired.

 -ING WORD GROUPS ENDING A SENTENCE

RULE #3

In most cases, when an –ing word group ends a sentence, you should place a comma right
before it.

Mr. Jenkins was (in the back yard), [hoeing his garden].

The director took us (through the museum), [explaining all the important pictures].

In the first example, the –ing word group, “hoeing his garden” modifies the subject “Mr.
Jenkins.” In the second example, the –ing word group “explaining all the important pictures”
modifies the subject “director.” In most sentences that end with an –ing word group, the word
group modifies the subject at the beginning of the sentence and is thus separated from the word
it modifies. Because the –ing phrase is separated from the word it modifies and is, more or less,
tacked on to the end of a sentence, the –ing phrase is also separated off with a comma.

Occasionally, an –ing word group ending a sentence will modify a noun or pronoun that comes
right before it. When this condition occurs, no comma is necessary.

NOUN
We found Mr. Jenkins [hoeing his garden].

In this example, the –ing word group does not modify the subject “we” but instead modifies the
noun “Mr. Jenkins” which comes right before it with no pause or break in the sentence.
Therefore, no comma is necessary.
 EXERCISE 1: -ING WORD GROUPS

DIRECTIONS: Each of the following sentences contains an –ing word group. Do all of the
following to these sentences:
1. Circle all conjunctions.
2. Place parentheses around all prepositional phrases.
3. Place brackets around all –ing word groups.
4. Underline all verbs twice.
5. Underline all subjects once.
6. Place commas where necessary. Each sentence in this exercise requires one
or two commas.

1. Leaping and dancing all over the stage Maria Tallchief amazes her audiences.

2. Traveling in Europe Mrs. Knight spent two years’ savings in one month.

3. Dan worked all year after school and on Saturdays saving almost a thousand dollars.

4. We talked to the veterinarian about our sick cat asking him many questions.

5. Jeff sitting down on a log took off his shoes and rested for a while.

6. Seeing the child in the street I stepped on the brakes.

7. Peggy showed her usual bad manners laughing at the appearance of my hair.

8. Going down the drain the chemicals made a boiling sound.

9. Brenna trembling with excitement stepped up to the stage.

10. My father hearing of a new job opportunity moved our family to Oregon.
 EXERCISE 2: –ING WORD GROUPS

DIRECTIONS: Rewrite the following pairs of sentences, as one sentence changing the
underlined sentence to an –ing word group.

1. The fireman was holding a child tightly in one arm. The fireman climbed out the window
and down the ladder.

2. I was sitting in my doctor’s office surrounded by sick patients all afternoon. I caught two
new diseases.

3. Judy put on eye shadow, eyeliner, and eyelashes. She was making her eyes look natural.

4. I worked as a doorman at the Ritz Hotel. I opened doors for guests, called taxis, and
carried umbrellas to vehicles on rainy days.

5. Judy struggled to control her calorie consumption. She taped the candy box shut.

6. We poured Cheerios into little sacks. We sold them to children as doughnut-tree seeds.

7. JoJo changed cars every year. JoJo always has the thrill of driving a new car.

8. Grandma saw a bird’s nest. The nest was hanging from a limb.
 9. Paul and Arnold played cards and ate snacks all night. They waited for the ghost to
appear in the haunted house.

10. The student was reviewing –ing word groups. He prepared for the Unit II test.