Participle Clauses helps you communicate about concise expression of time, reason, condition and simultaneous action. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can reduce clauses with present, past and perfect participles.
- Recognise and build the form: verb-ing; past participle; having + past participle.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Participle Clauses for concise expression of time, reason, condition and simultaneous action. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
Reading the email, she noticed an error.
A present participle can show an action simultaneous with the main action.
Built in 1890, the building is now a museum.
Use a past participle when the noun receives the action.
Having finished the work, they went home.
A perfect participle shows that one action was completed before another.
verb-ing; past participle; having + past participleKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- A present participle can show an action simultaneous with the main action.
- Use a past participle when the noun receives the action.
- A perfect participle shows that one action was completed before another.
- Use the past participle because the baby experienced the fright.
- A negative present-participle clause uses 'not + verb-ing'.
Common mistakes
Not:Read the email, she noticed an error.
Use:Reading the email, she noticed an error.
A present participle can show an action simultaneous with the main action.
Not:Building in 1890, the building is now a museum.
Use:Built in 1890, the building is now a museum.
Use a past participle when the noun receives the action.
Not:Finishing the work, they went home.
Use:Having finished the work, they went home.
A perfect participle shows that one action was completed before another.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
____ by the noise, the baby began to cry.
Frightened
Use the past participle because the baby experienced the fright.
Not ____ the answer, I stayed silent.
knowing
A negative present-participle clause uses 'not + verb-ing'.
____ carefully, the machine should last for years.
Maintained
The reduced passive condition uses the past participle 'Maintained'.