Look at these examples to see how participle clauses are used.
Looked after carefully, these boots will last for many years.
Not wanting to hurt his feelings, I avoided the question.
Having lived through difficult times together, they were very close friends.
Try this exercise to test your grammar.
- Grammar test 1
Read the explanation to learn more.
Grammar explanation
Participle clauses enable us to say information in a more economical way. They are formed using present participles (going, reading, seeing, walking, etc.), past participles (gone, read, seen, walked, etc.) or perfect participles (having gone, having read, having seen, having walked, etc.).
We can use participle clauses when the participle and the verb in the main clause have the same subject. For example,
Waiting for Ellie, I made some tea. (While I was waiting for Ellie, I made some tea.)
Participle clauses do not have a specific tense. The tense is indicated by the verb in the main clause.
Participle clauses are mainly used in written texts, particularly in a literary, academic or journalistic style.
Present participle clauses
Here are some common ways we use present participle clauses. Note that present participles have a similar meaning to active verbs.
- To give the result of an action
The bomb exploded, destroying the building. - To give the reason for an action
Knowing she loved reading, Richard bought her a book. - To talk about an action that happened at the same time as another action
Standing in the queue, I realised I didn't have any money. - To add information about the subject of the main clause
Starting in the new year, the new policy bans cars in the city centre.
Past participle clauses
Here are some common ways that we use past participle clauses. Note that past participles normally have a passive meaning.
- With a similar meaning to an if condition
Used in this way, participles can make your writing more concise. (If you use participles in this way, … ) - To give the reason for an action
Worried by the news, she called the hospital. - To add information about the subject of the main clause
Filled with pride, he walked towards the stage.
Perfect participle clauses
Perfect participle clauses show that the action they describe was finished before the action in the main clause. Perfect participles can be structured to make an active or passive meaning.
Having got dressed, he slowly went downstairs.
Having finished their training, they will be fully qualified doctors.
Having been made redundant, she started looking for a new job.
Participle clauses after conjunctions and prepositions
It is also common for participle clauses, especially with -ing, to follow conjunctions and prepositions such as before, after, instead of, on, since, when, while and in spite of.
Before cooking, you should wash your hands.
Instead of complaining about it, they should try doing something positive.
On arriving at the hotel, he went to get changed.
While packing her things, she thought about the last two years.
In spite of having read the instructions twice, I still couldn’t understand how to use it.
Do this exercise to test your grammar again.
- Grammar test 2
I still have a question about present participles, and I’ve come across another example that I don’t fully understand. Could you please help me clarify it?"
1: Dropping my suit, I dashed downstairs to tell George.
2: Opening the drawer, he took out a revolver.
3: hearing the news, she fainted.
4 : Hearing the phone ring, I picked it up.
Hello again Froj,
You certainly have a lot of questions about participles but I think we're now going over old ground with different examples. Since we've already explained quite a few of these, why don't you try to explain them and we'll tell you if you're on the right lines or not? I think that would be useful for you.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Dear Teacher, I sincerely apologize for any misunderstanding earlier. Could you kindly explain how the present participle is used in various contexts? Additionally, I would appreciate it if you could help me understand the difference between sequential and simultaneous actions. Thank you for your guidance.
I undenstand simultaneously is an actions happening at the same time and you told me but this is sequential actions so how i can clarify the sequential sentence
. Simultaneously
Walking to school, she was listening to music.
(Both "walking" and "listening" happen at the same time.)
So i need to clarify Sequential and how i can clarify this sentence is sequential when i read journal or soclal media or novels etc
When we see the context this sentence does not mean like reason or we can say ? But we can read like this method ?
To give the reason for an action
Worried by the news, she called the hospital.
Since or as she worried …….( reason)
Or we can read like this method
Filled with pride…..
Hello again Froj,
As it says above, sometimes a participle phrase shows actions occurring at the same time and sometimes it shows a causal relationship - the context should make this clear. In your example (Worried by the news...) I think it is clear that there is a causal relationship: she calls the hospital because she is worried by the news.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Thank you for your guidance and support in our online lessons. Your ability to make learning engaging and clear.
Let's go back to the British Council lesson.
Used in this way, participles can make your writing more concise. (If you use participles in this way, … )
So i can read like ( IF) used in this way…
used in this way is it like Main conditional sentence so we can read like ( IF ) please help me
Hello again Froj,
Yes, that's correct. The meaning of the participle phrase here is similar to 'If/When we use it in this way...'
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Can a present participle clause function like an 'if' clause in a conditional sentence? What does 'present participle condition' mean?"
Walking down the street, I noticed a beautiful sunset. (If I was walking down the street, I noticed a beautiful sunset.) Knowing the risks, she decided to proceed with caution. (If she knew the risks, she decided to proceed with caution.)
Hello Froj,
No, here the meaning is not conditional. Both sentences show events or happening at the same time:
In this sentence she is walking down the street and while doing this she sees the sunset.
Here she knows the risks and makes her decision accordingly.
Neither sentences describes conditionality or any kind of uncertainty as to whether or not something happens.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Do both sentences express a reason or simultaneous actions happening at the same time?
Can I rephrase the second sentence as: 'Since his mother punished him, the boy refused to eat his dinner' (to show reason)? Or should I understand these sentences as describing actions happening at the same time?"