What is the function of a participial phrase?

• A. To express complete thoughts with subjects and verbs
• B. To modify or describe nouns with phrases
• C. To indicate a relationship between two clauses
• D. To include a past or present participle along with additional words

Answer: (D)

A participial phrase is indeed characterized by including a past or present participle along with its modifiers and/or objects. This phrase serves to provide additional information about a noun in the sentence, functioning as an adjective. For instance, in a sentence like "The dog, barking loudly, attracted the attention of the children," the participial phrase "barking loudly" describes the noun "dog" and adds context to the action taking place.

While it's helpful to know that participial phrases modify or describe nouns, the core definition is specifically tied to the structure, which includes the participle itself and the accompanying modifiers. This structure is what makes option D the most accurate choice; it encapsulates the essential components of a participial phrase beyond just its function in modifying nouns.