Question

Identify the participial or infinitive phrase in each sentence. Julia withdrew money from each paycheck to renovate her old and dingy bathroom. Humming to himself, he appeared in good spirits as he walked to the office. Audience members, bored by the dull guest speaker, quickly lost their interest in the presentation. To become an expert archer, Natasha dedicated long days to repetitive target drills. The movie featured an unknown actress described as a rising star. To gain admittance to Yale University was Nicholas's top priority. Tonight's gala event is an effort to help raise money for natural-disaster relief.

Answer 1

The participial or infinitive phrase in each sentence are in bold

Julia withdrew money from each paycheck to renovate her old and dingy bathroom.

Humming to himself, he appeared in good spirits as he walked to the office.

Audience members, bored by the dull guest speaker, quickly lost their interest in the presentation.

To become an expert archer, Natasha dedicated long days to repetitive target drills.

The movie featured an unknown actress described as a rising star.

To gain admittance to Yale University was Nicholas's top priority.

Tonight's gala event is an effort to help raise money for natural-disaster relief.

Answer 2

A participial phrase contains a participle and modifiers, pronouns or nouns that function as objects or complements of the action expressed in the participle; Infinitive phrases contain a to+verb construction and can act as nouns, adjectives or adverbs. The words in bold are the participial or infinitive phrase in each sentence:

• Julia withdrew money from each paycheck to renovate her old and dingy bathroom - Infinitive.
• Humming to himself, he appeared in good spirits as he walked to the office - Participial.
• Audience members, bored by the dull guest speaker, quickly lost their interest in the presentation - Participial.
• To become an expert archer, Natasha dedicated long days to repetitive target drills - Infinitive.
• The movie featured an unknown actress described as a rising star - Participial.
• To gain admittance to Yale University was Nicholas's top priority - Infinitive.
• Tonight's gala event is an effort to help raise money for natural-disaster relief - Infinitive.