Dangling participle

Strictly speaking it is not quite right as it literally means that your attention was worried. However, I think that many people would read this sentence without noticing a problem.

Note that worried is an adjective, not a participle.

Aspara GusNote that worried is an adjective, not a participle.

Isn't it a participle too?

GPYIsn't it a participle too?

It's historically derived from the past participle of worry, but it isn't actually a past participle verb-form (as in You shouldn't have worried about me); it's an adjective, or more precisely a “participial adjective”.

Aspara Gusmore precisely a “participial adjective”.

RIght, I thought that made it a participle...

GPYRIght, I thought that made it a participle...

Ah, well, not in my book, anyway.

You seem to be saying that a participial adjective is not an adjective. That seems a little odd to me.

fivejedjonYou seem to be saying that a participial adjective is not an adjective.

What gave you that idea?

Aspara GusWhat gave you that idea?

Your words:

it's an adjective, or more precisely a “participial adjective”.

Note that worried is an adjective, not a participle.

The term “participial adjective” reflects the fact that the word belongs to the adjective class and is derived from a participle, not that it actually is one. A participle is a verb-form.