Participle Clauses Flashcards
ING Participle clauses
We can use –ing participle clauses to refer to the present or the past. give some examples
When I talk to you I always feel better.
Talking to you I always feel better.
Because I was walking quickly, I soon caught up with him.
Walking quickly I soon caught up with him.
Having + past participle clauses
By using the perfect –ing participle clause you can emphasise that an action was previous to another. These clauses are commonly used to express the cause of a second action. give examples
Having lost all the games, he felt depressed.
Not having eaten for hours, I was desperate to find a restaurant.
having been + past participle
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…)
Participle clauses can also follow prepositions or conjunctions: after, before, instead of, without, when, while, etc. This use of prepositions or conjunctions before participle clauses (mainly –ing participle clauses) is quite common:
Remember to take your bags when leaving the bus.
Instead of listening to me, Tom left the room.
After having lost many games, he felt depressed.
I visited her after talking with her mother.
People often use their phones while driving.
Past participle clauses (-ed/third column)
Past 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)
Be careful with this common mistake!
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. Using two different subjects is the most common mistake students make when they try to use participle clauses.
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. (The subjects are different.) FORMA INCORRECTA
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. FORMA INCORRECTA
Watered at night, the plants live longer.
