Question

In this passage from The Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell, which of the highlighted words is a participle?

Eager to take any opening to get into conversation with him, I ventured to say, “O, Sir, I cannot think Mr. Garrick would grudge such a trifle to you.” “Sir,” said he, with a stern look, “I have known David Garrick longer than you have done: and I know no right you have to talk to me on the subject.” Perhaps I deserved this check; for it was rather presumptuous in me, an entire stranger, to express any doubt of the justice of his animadversion upon his old acquaintance and pupil. I now felt myself much mortified, and began to think that the hope which I had long indulged of obtaining his acquaintance was blasted. And, in truth, had not my ardor been uncommonly strong, and my resolution uncommonly persevering, so rough a reception might have deterred me forever from making any further attempts.

Answer 1

Answer: Persevering

A participle is a word formed from a verb and among its different uses, it can be used to describe something. In other words, it can be used as an adjective. (e.g. the word 'racing' in Tim got a racing car as a gift or 'boring' in History class was boring today, etc.) .

In the passage, the writer described his resolution as uncommonly 'persevering'.