Explanation about the use of participle clauses

1. PARTICIPLE CLAUSES
GRAMMAR

2. Definition:
• A form of adverbial clause which enables to say
information in a more economical way.
• We can use participle clauses when the participle and the
verb in the main clause have the same subject.
For example:
Waiting for John, I made some tea.
Waiting for John, the kettle boiled. [This would suggest
that the kettle was waiting for John!]
NOTE: If the subject of the participle is different from the
subject of the verb, this goes at the beginning of the
sentence. E.g.
Weather permitting, we may drive to the beach.

3. FORM
Participle clauses can be formed with:
1. the present participle (-ing form of the verb)
• E.g. Shouting loudly, Peter walked home. [Peter was
shouting
2. past participle(-ed regular verbs /third form of the
irregular verbs)
• E.g. Shouted at loudly, Peter walked home. [Someone
was shouting at Peter]
3. to emphasise that one action was before another then
we can use a perfect participle(having + past participle):
• Having won the match, Susan jumped for joy.

4. Present participle use:
1. To replace a time clause (when, while, after, etc. +
subject + verb). E.g.
- Looking through the things in my drawer, I came across
some old photographs. (= While I was looking…)
- Searching for his phone, Alex knocked over the lamp. (=
While he was searching)
2. To replace a clause of reason/result and in past
simple (because, as, so, since + subject+verb) E.g.
Feeling extremely tired, I decided to rest under a tree.
(=Because I felt)
Not knowing how much the city tour would cost, I asked the
travel agent. (= I didn’t know…)

5. 3. It can be used with different conjunctions and
prepositions: after, while, since, on, although, etc. E.g.
- After finishing her degree, she went to live in London. (=
After she finished…)
- On reaching the department store, she went straight to
customer service. (= When she reached…)
- While, Although knowing there will be difficulties, I still
think we should go ahead with the plan. (While/Although I
know…)

6. Past participle use:
1. Instead of a subject + verb in the Passive Voice. E.g.
- Shocked by the tragedy. They didn’t know what to say. (=
They were shocked by the tragedy and didn’t know…)
- Stunned by the view from our hotel window, we didn’t
want to leave. (= we were stunned…)
2. To replace the if- clause in a conditional sentence
containing Passive voice) E.g.
- Stored in the fridge, the pudding will keep for up to one
week. (=If it is stored in the fridge,…)
- Unless otherwise instructed, when the fire alarm goes off,
get out of the building through the side entrance. (= If you
are not otherwise instructed, …)

7. 3. It can be used with: when, until, once, if, unless. E.g.
- Once defrosted, it cannot be frozen again. (=Once it has
been defrosted…)

8. • To form the negative of participle, we add not before the
participles. E.g.
- Not knowing to miss the bus, they run to the bus stop.
- Not scared by the strange noise, he kept waiting in the
woods.