PARTICIPLE CLAUSES

Participle clauses enable us to say information in a more economical way.

They are formed using
present participles (going, reading, seeing, walking, etc.)
past participles (gone, read, seen, walked, etc.)
perfect participles (having gone, having read, having seen, having
walked, etc.).
We can use participle clauses when the participle and the verb in the
main clause have the same subject. For example,
While I was waiting for Ellie, I made some tea
Waiting for Ellie, I made some tea.
While Pepito was waiting for Ellie, I made some tea.

Participle clauses do not have a specific tense. The tense is indicated by

the verb in the main clause.
Participle clauses are mainly used in written texts, particularly in a literary,
academic or journalistic style.

Present participle clauses (verb-ing)

Here are some common ways we use present participle clauses. Note
that present participles have a similar meaning to active verbs.
 To give the result of an action

The bomb exploded, destroying the building.

The airplane crashed, killing everyone.

He got distracted, causing a terrible accident.

Shian graduated from school, making his parents happy.

The earthquake in Turkey occurred early in the morning, trapping

thousands of people under wreaks.

 To give the reason for an action

Because Richard knew she loved reading, he bought her a book.

Knowing she loved reading, Richard bought her a book.

Wanting to travel to Cancun, Consuelito started saving money.

Because he watches too much TV, he has eye-problem.

Watching too much TV, he has eye-problem.

Because Joseph ate rotten food, he had diarrhea.

Eating rotten food, he had diarrhea.

As I went to bed late, I woke up late.

Going to bed late, I woke up late.

Since I needed money to buy the car, I asked for some to my

brother.

Needing money to buy the car, I asked for some to my brother.

 Because I didn’t arrive early, I missed the train to Yacuiba.

Not arriving early, I missed the train to Yacuiba.

Because I didn’t arrive early, Pepito left the restaurant before I got
there.

As my mother is very strict, my mother doesn’t allow me to go to

parties

Being very strict, my mother doesn’t allow me to go to parties.

Because I don’t like to dance, I didn’t enjoy the party.

Not liking to dance, I didn’t enjoy the party.

 To talk about an action that happened at the same time as

another action

Standing in the queue, I realised I didn't have any money.

While I was standing in the queue, I realised I didn't have any
money.

While I was walking around the park, I saw Gabriel doing exercise.

Walking around the park, I saw Gabriel doing exercise.

When I was crossing the avenue, I was thinking about my life.

Crossing the avenue, I was thinking about my life.

Driving to work, I answered the call from my boss.

While I was driving to work, I answered the call from my boss.

Watching my favorite series, I fell asleep.

 To add information about the subject of the main clause

Starting in the new year, the new policy bans cars in the city
centre.

Finishing tomorrow, this module was short.

Being born in Sucre, Pepito will represent us in the Olympic games.

Starring in Maverick, Tom Cruise is still acting excellently.

Starting to study English last year, Boris is still studying in the CBA.

Being the biggest city of Bolivia, Santa Cruz has progressed

dramatically.

Being the first indigenous president, Evo Morales will definitely run
again for the next election.

 With time clauses

After Marita leaves school, she will apply for a job.

After leaving school, Marita will apply for a job.

Before I finished the project, I had searched a lot about the topic.

Before finishing the project, I had searched a lot about the topic.

Before finishing my homework, I’ve got dinner.

After Cillian Murphy won the Oscars, he started earning more

money.
Past participle clauses
Here are some common ways that we use past participle clauses. Note
that past participles normally have a passive meaning.

 With a similar meaning to an if condition

used in this way, they can make your writing more concise.
Used in this way, participles can make your writing more concise.

If money is saved in the bank, money will be protected.

Saved in the bank, money will be protected.

If the lesson is explained by teacher Victor, the lesson would be

understood.

Explained by teacher Victor, the lesson would be understood.

If clothes are washed by hand, they would last more.

Washed by hand, clothes would last more.

If food is cooked with patience, it would taste better.

Cooked with patience, food would taste better.

If a house is built without machines, it will take a lot of time.

 Built without machines, a house will take a lot of time to be done.

If the problem is analyzed carefully, the problem can be solved

easily.

If the door is left open, mosquitoes will enter.

If the test is taken today, it will be only about lesson 1.

Taken today, the test will be only about lesson 1.

cooked with love, it would be more delicious.

Not kept in the fridge, food will be rotten in an hour in this weather.

If food is not kept in the fridge, it will be rotten in an hour in this

weather.

If the lamp is charged enough, it will work all night.

Charged enough, the lamp will work all night long.

 To give the reason for an action

Because she was worried by the news, she called the hospital.

Worried by the news, she called the hospital.

Because Anita was nominated as the best actress, she will ask for
more money.
 Nominated as the best actress, she will ask for more money.

Because my house is cleaned by my daughter, my house is not

entirely clean.

Because Pepito was seen with another girl, he will be in a big

trouble.

Because the TV was bought in the Cachis, this TV won’t work.

Built by Alejandra’s husband, this house is well done.

 To add information about the subject of the main clause

Filled with pride, he walked towards the stage.

Written by J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter’s books became a best

seller.

Watched by millions of people, the Super Bowl is going to be

held in Arizona next Sunday.

Organized by Anita, the party will be a success.

Perfect participle clauses
Perfect participle clauses show that the action they describe was finished
before the action in the main clause. Perfect participles can be structured
to make an active or passive meaning.
After he got dressed, he slowly went downstairs.
After getting dressed, he slowly went downstairs.
Having got dressed, he slowly went downstairs.
Having finished their training, they will be fully qualified doctors.
Having been made redundant, she started looking for a new job.

After she had gotten pregnant, she got married.

Having gotten pregnant, she got married.
Once he graduated, he started looking for a job.
Having graduated, he started looking for a job.
Once the project was finished, it was presented to the board of directors.
Having been finished, the project was presented to the board of directors.
Having gotten up, I took a shower.
Having finished working on the project, I presented it to the boss.
Having been filmed by Steven S., the film was nominated to the Oscars.

Participle clauses after conjunctions and

prepositions
It is also common for participle clauses, especially with -ing, to follow
conjunctions and prepositions such as before, after, instead
of, on, since, when, while and in spite of.
Before cooking, you should wash your hands.
Instead of complaining about it, they should try doing something
positive.
On arriving at the hotel, he went to get changed.
While packing her things, she thought about the last two years.
In spite of having read the instructions twice, I still couldn’t
understand how to use it.
Participle clauses can also follow prepositions or conjunctions: after, before,
instead of, without, when, while, etc. This use of prepositions or conjunctions
before –ing is quite common.
We can say 'after dropping him' or 'after having dropped him'. If we use the
perfect form, we emphasise the fact that the action was previously
completedAfter I dropped him at the station, I drove straight to the
supermarket.
After having dropped him at the station Correct, I drove straight to the
supermarket.

Check your answers:

1As she felt tired, Emma went to bed early.

Felt tired , Emma went to bed early.

Correct answer: Feeling tired

➪ This is a clause of reason.
➪ We use an -ing participle because the verb is active and the actions in the
main and the participle clauses are simultaneous.

2As he was impressed by my work, the manager extended my contract.

 Impressed by my work , the manager extended my contract.

➪ We need to use a past participle clause because we are replacing a

sentence with a verb in the passive voice.

3Robin got oil on his shirt while he was fixing his bike.

Fixing his bike , Robin got oil on his shirt.

➪ We use an -ing participle because the verb is active and the actions in the
main and the participle clauses are simultaneous.

4After the boss had explained the problem, he asked the employee to solve
it.

Having explained the problem , the boss asked the employee to solve it.

➪ The action in the participle clause is previous to the action in the main
clause.
➪ By using the perfect –ing participle clause you can emphasise that an
action was previous to another.
➪ We could also use a participle clause after a preposition: After explaining
the problem, ...

5Because he didn’t have a girlfriend, he flirted with every woman he met.

Not having a girlfriend , he flirted with every woman he met.

➪ The actions expressed by the verbs in the main clause and in the
participle clause are simultaneous, so we cannot use the perfect -
ing participle.
➪ And the verb in the participle clause is active, so we need an -
ing participle clause.

6He was trapped in a dilemma and couldn't react.

Trapped in a dilemma , he couldn't react.

➪ We use a past participle clause because the verb is passive.

7After I dropped him at the station, I drove straight to the supermarket.

After having dropped him at the station , I drove straight to the

supermarket.

➪ Participle clauses can also follow prepositions or conjunctions: after,

before, instead of, without, when, while, etc. This use of prepositions or
conjunctions before –ing is quite common.
➪ We can say 'after dropping him' or 'after having dropped him'. If we use
the perfect form, we emphasise the fact that the action was previously
completed.

8While he was drinking his coffee, he thought about the problem.

Drinking his coffee , he thought about the problem.

➪ The verb in the participle clause is active, so we need an -ing participle

clause.
➪ The actions expressed by the verbs in the main clause and in the
participle clause are simultaneous, so we cannot use the perfect -
ing participle.

9Because he is faced with a bill for £22,000, John has taken an extra job.

Faced with a bill for £22,000, John has taken an extra job.

➪ We use a past participle clause because the verb is passive.

10If it is looked after carefully, the plant can live through the winter.

Looked after carefully , the plant can live through the winter.

➪ We use a past participle clause because the verb is passive.