SECTION 2: STRUCTURE
ERROR IDENTIFICATION Error Identification items most often test participles used before nouns as one-word adjectives. When used before a noun, present participles have an active meaning; past participles have a passive meaning. It was an exhausting 10-kilometer race. (present participle) The exhausted runners were too tired to move after the race. (past participle) In the first sentence, the race exhausts the runners. The race “performs” the action. In the second sentence, the runners are exhausted by the race. They receive the action. Error Identification items may also test the use of participles in phrases after nouns as reduced (shortened) relative clauses. Again, present participles imply an active idea, past participles a passive one. The man stealing the money was arrested. (present participle; means “who stole”) The money stolen from the bank was recovered. (past participle; means “which was stolen”) In Error Identification items, you may see past participles used incorrectly for present participles or present participles used incorrectly for past participles. You may also see a main verb used when a participle is required.
EXERCISE 21.1 Focus: Identifying errors and correct forms of participles Directions: Underline the form that best completes each sentence. 1. The largest (knowing/known) insects are found in tropical rain forests.
5. Anyone (working/worked) under conditions that cause a heavy loss of perspiration can suffer heat exhaustion.
2. A hummingbird’s heart beats at the (astonished/astonishing) rate of 615 beats per minute.
6. A mosquito (filled/is filled) with blood is carrying twice its own body weight.
3. A bill of lading is a (writing/written) receipt for goods that are sent by public transportation.
7. The state of Wisconsin has seventy-two counties, many (naming/named) after Indian tribes.
4. At the peak of his jump, a pole vaulter performs a series of (twisting/twisted) body motions to clear the bar.
8. Sun spots occur in cycles, with the greatest number generally (appearing/are appearing) every eleven years.
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