This document defines and provides examples of participle clauses. It explains that participle clauses use participles to provide information in an economical way when the participle and main clause verb have the same subject. It discusses the forms of participles that can be used, including present, past, and perfect participles. It also provides examples of how participle clauses can replace time clauses, clauses of reason/result, and passive voice constructions.

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.