which answer choice best explains how the underlined participial phrase is used in this sentence?
thinking it was after eight o'clock, sam hurried home.

it is used as a verb to name the main action of the sentence.
it is used as an adverb to describe the verb hurried.
it is used as a noun and acts as the subject of the sentence.
it is used as an adjective to describe the noun sam.

D). It is used as an adjective to describe the noun Sam.

Explanation:

Participial phrases are described as the phrase comprising of a participle(present or past) along with its object(nouns or pronouns) or/and any of the modifiers that aids to accomplish the meaning of the phrase. Such phrases perform as an adjective in the sentence that intends to provide description to the sentence.

As per the question, the underlined participle phrase "Thinking it was after eight o' clock" beginning with the present participle 'thinking' is employed to function as an adjective in the sentence that provides description to the noun 'Sam'. Thus, option D is the correct answer.

its hard for me to see which word is supposed to be in bold. if i knew then i would be able to better.