Participle clauses

PARTICIPLE CLAUSES What is the difference in meaning between these two sentences: Seeing an accident ahead, I stopped my car. Having seen an accident ahead, I stopped my car. There is not very much difference in meaning between these two pairs of sentences. Sometimes we can use an -ing or past participle clause with similar meanings, as here, although use of the past participle form emphasises that the first action has been completed before the second action begins. Thus, we could paraphrase these two sentences as follows: Having seen an accident ahead, I stopped my car. → I noticed that there had been an accident ahead and stopped my car. Seeing an accident ahead, I stopped my car. → When I saw the accident ahead, I stopped my car. In general, we tend not to use participle clauses so much in speech. They are too formal. However, in written English participial clauses can be very useful. As you can see from the examples above, when the subject in the participle clause is the same as the participle in the main clause, they enable us to say the same thing, but with fewer words. PARTICIPIAL CLAUSES = ADVERBIAL CLAUSES Participial clauses often express condition, reason, cause, result or time in a similar way to full adverbial clauses, only more economically. Compare the following: • Used sparingly, this face cream should last you until Christmas. → If you use it sparingly, this face cream should last you until Christmas. • Having taken the wrong train, I found myself in Bath, not Bristol. → Because I had taken the wrong train, I found myself in Bath, not Bristol. • Passing the theatre on my right, I walked up the steps and could see all the lights on the Thames ahead of me. → After I had passed the theatre on my right, I walked up the steps and could see all the lights on the Thames ahead of me. Note from the above examples that the -ing form participle is used to talk about past, as well as present events, e.g.: Talking to you I always feel that my problems will be solved. → By talking to you, I always feel that my problems will be solved. PARTICIPLE CLAUSES FOLLOWING CONJUNCTIONS AND PREPOSITIONS Participle clauses, with -ing particularly, can be used after various conjunctions and prepositions, such as: when, while, before, after, on, without, instead of. Note the following examples: Remember to take all your belongings with you when leaving the train. I sprained my ankle while playing tennis. Before entering the mosque you must take off your shoes. After taking everything into consideration, we decided to sell the house. After having driven 300 miles across country, I arrived to find the house had been sold. On hearing that my sister was planning to marry him, I decided to leave the flat to her. Without wanting to seem rude, I must tell you that you are ungrateful. Instead of listening to my advice, she walked out without saying goodbye. Participle Clauses Page 1 Note from the above examples that the participle clause normally, but not invariably, comes in front of the main clause HAVING BEEN + PAST PARTICIPLE Note that this passive structure can also be used in participle clauses as an alternative to a since- clause Having been invited to the party by Prince William himself, we could hardly refuse to go. ( = Since we had been invited…) Having been deprived of food for over twenty days, the castaway was fed intravenously at first. Having been unemployed for over two years, I found it difficult to get work. Participle Clauses Page 2 PARTICIPLE CLAUSES 1. There are 3 types of participle clause o Past participle o Perfect participle o Present participle 2. Past participle clauses Example: Faced with an angry bull, John decided to jump over the wall. = Because he was faced with . Founded 20 years ago, the club is more popular today than ever before. = The club, which was founded 20 years ago, is more . (Consequence) (Relative clause) 3. Can you rewrite these sentences with a past participle clause? o Because she was pleased with the children’s behaviour, she bought them all an ice cream. o The new cinema, which is located in the city centre, is very popular = Pleased with the children’s behaviour . = Located in the city centre, the new cinema . 4. Perfect participle clauses Example: Having finished his homework, he went to watch television. After he had finished his homework . Having been told the answers in advance, he did very well in the exam. (Time) (Consequence) Because he had been told . 5. Can you rewrite these sentences with a perfect participle clause? o Because he had been late for work twice, he decided to catch an earlier train. → Having been late for work . o After he had completed the marathon, he went home and rested for what was left of the day. → Having completed the marathon . 6. Present participle clauses Example: Arriving at the bus stop, we saw an enormous queue. When we arrived at the bus stop, . (Time) Not having any money, I decided to stay at home. (Consequence) Because I didn’t have any . 7. Can you rewrite these sentences with a present participle clause? o As he looked over his shoulder, he saw the police chasing him. → Looking over his shoulder o Because he saw the broken glass on the floor, he realised that they had been burgled. → Seeing the broken glass . Participle Clauses Page 3 PARTICIPLE CLAUSES 1. PARTICIPLE CLAUSES: USE AND STRUCTURE By Belén Sáez Hernáez 2. STRUCTURE o The participles are: PRESENT PARTICIPLES (staying, living) PAST PARTICIPLES (stayed, left, etc.) PERFECT PARTICIPLES (having left, etc.) o Present and past partciples can be used as adjectives . The present participle (- ing) describes what somebody or something is (it answers to the question ‘What kind?’) o The past participle (-ed) describes how somebody feels it answers to the question ‘How do you feel?’) It was an embarrassing situation. She was embarrassed. 3. Participles can be used to express reason : Feeling tired ( because he was feeling tired), Matt decided to go back to bed. Having seen the film before (because I had seen the film before), I decided to turn the TV off and read a good book 4. Participles can be used to express time. After he had taken his Master’s degree, he applied for a job. → Having taken his Master’s degree, he applied for a job. We met Nicola while we were having a barbecue. → We met Nicola while having a barbecue. 5. Participles can be used instead fo the past simple in narratives when we describe actions happening immediatly one after another. 6. Participles can be used to avoid repeating the past continuous in the same sentence. We were walking in the forest talking about our plans for the future. (… and we were talking…) Hearing the news, she ran home . (She heard the news and she ran home) 7. Participles and relative clauses o We can make participle clauses with –ing participles and – ed participles. o Use –ing participle clauses to replace relative clauses with active verbs. People living with pets are more friendly and have less stress. = People who live with pets are more friendly and have less stress. 8. Use –ed participle clauses to replace relative clauses with passive verbs. I always buy clothes that have been made of natural fibres. = I always buy clothes made of natural fibres. Their first song, which was called ‘My Girl’, became an instant hit. = Their first song, called ‘My Girl’, became an instant hit. 9. In formal writing present and past participles can be used to replace clauses, taking the first position in the sentence for emphasis. Monica, who was dressed entirely in red, entered the room dancing. = Dressed entirely in red, Monica entered the room dancing. She is so rich that she can afford buying pricey jewellery. Participle Clauses Page 4 = Being so rich, she can afford buying pricey jewellery. Participle Clauses Page 5 . get work. Participle Clauses Page 2 PARTICIPLE CLAUSES 1. There are 3 types of participle clause o Past participle o Perfect participle o Present participle. home) 7. Participles and relative clauses o We can make participle clauses with –ing participles and – ed participles. o Use –ing participle clauses to