In a number of texts (Greenbaum's, Kolln & Funk's, Warriner's, among others), several -ing ending words which seem to be participles of verbs are listed among the prepositions. These include according to, concerning, considering, following, failing, and including. What is the distinction between prepositional phrases beginning with such words and participial phrases beginning with similar -ing participles? Can the same word function as either a preposition or a participle, depending on how it is used? Are there any suggestions for how this might be explained to bright 7th graders?