Unit 9, (last class of term 2), participle clauses

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Present participle clauses

In participle clauses, we use the -ing form to combine two clauses with the same subject.

• Waiting for the bus, I read about the demonstration in the newspaper.
• Having finished my homework, I could watch television.
  

Meaning

-give the result of an action

               The bomb exploded, destroying the building.

-give the reason for an action

               Knowing she loved reading, Richard bought her a book.

-talk about an action that happened at the same time

               Standing in the queue, I realised I didn't have any money.

-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

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

Active or passive.

The action they describe was finished before the action in the main clause.

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.

Exception:

Sometimes the subject is NOT the same: 

when the clause describes a situation:

There being no money left, we had to go home.

It being too late to get a bus, we took a taxi.

With it being Sunday, we couldn't find any shops open.

Fill in the gap: "... the postcard, I looked for a post office to buy a stamp."

1. Writing
2. Having written

Make this into a sentence with a participle clause: "I brushed my teeth and then went to bed."

Correct or incorrect? "Having filled the water bottle, Peter returned to class."

1. Correct
2. Incorrect

Correct or incorrect? "Having gone for a swim, the water was cold."

1. Correct
2. Incorrect

Remind students that it's about whether the subject of both clauses is the same.

On a scale of 0 to a 100, how well do you feel you understand participle clauses?

0100

Need more practice? Go to the websites below.

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