PARTICIPLE CLAUSES

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participle clauses

They allow us to express condition, reason, cause, result or time in a similar way to full adverbial clauses, only with less words. Let's look at a couple of examples:

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index

-ING participle clauses

-ED participle clauses

Having + past participle clauses

common mistakes

Practice Time!

-ing participle clauses

We can use –ing participle clauses to refer to the present or the past

PRESENT When I talk to you I always feel better. Talking to you I always feel better.PAST As she was a great singer, she didn’t have problems to find a job.Being such a great singer, she didn’t have problems to find a job. PAST CONTINUOUS Because I was walking quickly, I soon caught up with him. Walking quickly I soon caught up with him.

-ED participle clauses

usually replace a sentence with a verb in the passive voice.

Found in a litter bin, the briefcase contained classified information. (=The briefcase was found.) Impressed by the painting, John praised the artist. (=He was impressed by the painting.) Founded 20 years ago, the company has received many awards. (=The company was founded 20 years ago.) Located in the city centre, the bar is very popular among tourists. (=The bar is located in the city centre)

Having + past participle clauses

you can emphasise that an action was previous to another. They are commonly used to express the cause

Having lost all the games, he felt depressed. Not having eaten for hours, I was desperate to find a restaurant. It’s common to have the passive structure having been + past participle as an alternative to a since-clause (reason): Having been unemployed for so long, he felt he would never find a job. (=Since he had been…) Having been offered a promotion, she decided to stay in the company. (=Since she had been…)

Be careful with this common mistake!

Using two different subjects is the most common mistake students make when they try to use participle clauses.

You must always make sure that the subject of the verb in the participle clause and the subject of the verb in the main clause are the same.

• If you mix it with soda, the cocktail tastes even better. (The subject of mix is you, and the subject of tastes is the cocktail.)

Mixing it with soda, the cocktail tastes even better. X (The subjects are different.)Mixed with soda, the cocktail tastes even better. (Same subject)

• If you water them at night, the plants live longer.

Watering them at night, the plants live longer. XWatered at night, the plants live longer. (Same subject)

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Remember to keep on practicing!

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