Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Example:
Blown to the right by the hair-dryer, her hair could easily be cut.
Long form: Her hair was blown to the right by the hair-dryer and could easily be cut.
To Note
We use the perfect participle (having been + past participle) to stress that the action in the participle clause took place before the action in the
main clause. However, this form is rarely used.
Example:
Long form: After her hair had been cut, it looked strange.
Construction
There is no subject in a participle clause. The subject of the main clause is also the subject of the participle clause.
Example:
Having washed her hair, Susan reached for the hair-dryer and scissors.
The main verb is changed into a participle. We have to pay attention to whether the action in the participle clause takes place at the
same time as the action in the main clause or before it, and whether we are using the active or the passive voice.
Example:
Holding the hair-dryer in her left hand, Susan cut her hair.
(simultaneous action, activepresent participle)
participle
form
active simulataneo
us action
present
participle
example
Holding the hair-dryer in her left hand, she
cut her hair.
participle
form
example
(ing-form)
sequential
action
simulateous
passiv and
sequential
e
actions
perfect
participle
(having +
3rd verb
form)
past
participle
(3rd verb
form)
The conjunctions as, because, and since, as well as the relative pronouns whoand which, are not used in the participle clause.
Example:
As the hair was blown to the right by the hair-dryer, it could easily be cut.
Blown to the right by the hair-dryer, the hair could easily be cut.
But, the conjunctions before and when are used in the participle clause.
Example:
Before she cut her hair, she washed it.
Before cutting her hair, she washed it.
In this case, the participle clause has to come directly after the object to which it refers.
Example:
Have you ever seen anyone cutting their hair this way?
Long form: Have you ever seen anyone who would cut their hair this way?
Exercises
Type in the present participle.
1.
(search)
2.
(whistle)
3.
(sit)
4.
5.
(run)
(blind)
2.
(prepare)
3.
(sing)
4.
(misuse)
5.
Though (bear)
(park)
2.
(drink)
3.
(leave)
4.
(finish)
5.
(lose)
ten kilogrammes, Anne finally fit into her favourite dress again.
1.
2.
The boy had brushed his teeth. He was allowed to watch a few more minutes of television.
3.
4.
They were surprised by a sudden storm and had to seek shelter under a tree.
5.
When they had found the secret island, they started searching for the treasure.
Exercises
Type in the present participle.
1.
Searching for her gloves, she dug through the entire wardrobe.
2.
Whistling a song, she danced through the house with the mop.
3.
4.
5.
1.
Blinded by the sun, the driver didnt see the stop sign.
2.
3.
4.
Misused as a refuse dump, the place became more and more shabby.
5.
Though born in England, she spent most of her childhood in the United States.
1.
2.
Having drunk one litre of water, she really needed to go to the toilet.
3.
Having left the party too early, we couldnt see the fireworks anymore.
4.
5.
Having lost ten kilogrammes, Anne finally fit into her favourite dress again.
1.
2.
The boy had brushed his teeth. He was allowed to watch a few more minutes of television.
Having brushed his teeth, the boy was allowed to watch a few more minutes of television.
3.
4.
They were surprised by a sudden storm and had to seek shelter under a tree.
Surprised by a sudden storm, they had to seek shelter under a tree.
5.
When they had found the secret island, they started searching for the treasure.
Having found the secret island, they started searching for the treasure.
Combine the clauses using participle constructions (Present Participle or Past Participle).
1.
2.
The battle was fought at this place. The battle was very significant.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The children went from house to house. They played trick or treat.
7.
8.
9.
The picture which was stolen from a museum was offered on Ebay.
10.
Combine the clauses using participle constructions (Present, Past or Perfect Participle).
1.
We were sitting in the bus shelter and waited for the rain to stop.
2.
3.
4.
5.
They were chatting along and didn't see the car coming.
6.
The reception had been prepared carefully and was a great success.
7.
He was picked up by his mother and didn't have to wait for the bus.
8.
She had finished her degree and started to work for an international company.
9.
She was listening to the radio and didn't hear the doorbell.
10.
The room had not been tidied up yet and looked like a battlefield.
We were sitting in the bus shelter and waited for the rain to stop.
2.
3.
4.
5.
They were chatting along and didn't see the car coming.
6.
The reception had been prepared carefully and was a great success.
7.
He was picked up by his mother and didn't have to wait for the bus.
8.
She had finished her degree and started to work for an international company.
9.
She was listening to the radio and didn't hear the doorbell.
10.
The room had not been tidied up yet and looked like a battlefield.
Combine the clauses using participle constructions (Present, Past oder Perfect Participle). Decide whether to use the conjunctions in
the participle clause or not.
1.
As she didn't have a boyfriend, she flirted with every guy she met.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Since she didn't hear the doorbell, she missed the delivery.
8.
After I had dropped him at the station, I drove straight to the supermarket.
9.
10.
While they were talking on the phone, they forgot everything around them.
Combine the clauses using participle constructions (Present, Past oder Perfect Participle). Decide whether to use the conjunctions in
the participle clause or not.
1.
As she didn't have a boyfriend, she flirted with every guy she met.
Not having a boyfriend, she flirted with every guy she met.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Since she didn't hear the doorbell, she missed the delivery.
Not hearing the doorbell, she missed the delivery.
8.
After I had dropped him at the station, I drove straight to the supermarket.
Having dropped him at the station, I drove straight to the supermarket.
9.
10.
While they were talking on the phone, they forgot everything around them.
While talking on the phone, they forgot everything around them.