Which answer choice best explains how the bolded participial phrase is used in this sentence?


Thinking it was after eight o'clock, Sam hurried home.



(A) It is used as a verb to name the main action of the sentence.



(B) It is used as an adverb to describe the verb hurried.



(C) It is used as a noun and acts as the subject of the sentence.



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