Participle clauses
B2 Upper IntermediateParticiple clauses provide a concise way to give extra information about a noun or action in a sentence. They are typically used in formal writing to express time, reason, or result.
Overview
Participle clauses function as adverbial or adjectival phrases that reduce the length of a sentence. They are most common in written English and formal speech. A crucial rule is that the subject of the participle clause must be the same as the subject of the main clause.
- Present participles (-ing) describe active meanings or actions happening at the same time.
- Past participles (-ed) describe passive meanings.
- Perfect participles (having + -ed) show that one action finished before another.
Form
Present Participle (-ing) / Past Participle (-ed) / Perfect Participle (Having + -ed)
The clause usually begins with the participle and is separated from the main clause by a comma when it starts the sentence.
Examples
Common mistakes
Waiting for the bus, the rain started to fall.
While I was waiting for the bus, the rain started to fall.
This is a 'dangling participle.' The rain is not the one waiting for the bus; the subjects must match.
Practice
Combine these sentences using a present participle: 'She was feeling tired. She decided to go to bed early.'
Show answer
Feeling tired, she decided to go to bed early.
Answer:Feeling tired, she decided to go to bed early.
Why:The present participle 'feeling' replaces the subject and verb to show the reason for the main action.
Rewrite using a past participle: 'The car was stolen last night. It was found in a nearby forest.'
Show answer
Stolen last night, the car was found in a nearby forest.
Answer:Stolen last night, the car was found in a nearby forest.
Why:The past participle 'stolen' is used because the car is the receiver of the action (passive).
Use a perfect participle: 'He had lost his keys. He had to call a locksmith.'
Show answer
Having lost his keys, he had to call a locksmith.
Answer:Having lost his keys, he had to call a locksmith.
Why:The perfect participle 'having lost' indicates that the loss of keys happened before the call to the locksmith.