‘Handcuffed’ is the past participle and introduces the phrase
which also functions as an adjectival phrase qualifying the
noun ‘prisoner’.
Gripped by fear, she stared at her questioner.‘Gripped’ is the past participle and ‘gripped by fear’ is also a
participial phrase.
Looking at adjectival phrases
Like adjectives,adjectival phrasesmodify (describe) nouns
or pronouns.
The man,tall and elegant, walked on to the platform.‘... tall and elegant’ is an adjectival phrase modifying the
noun ‘man’.
The crowd,becoming upset, was ready to riot.‘... becoming upset’ is an adjectival phrase qualifying the
noun ‘crowd’.
The headmaster, furiously angry, strode on to the plat-
form.‘... furiously angry’ is an adjectival phrase which describes
the headmaster. There will be more about adjectives in the
next chapter.
30 / IMPROVE YOUR PUNCTUATION & GRAMMAR