PARTICIPLE CLAUSES

I. Definition
- A participle clause is a dependent clause which uses a participle form of a verb. These clauses are used to avoid making sentences
overly complicated. They are used mainly in written English and they allow us to convey a great deal of information in a shorter
form.
Types of participle clauses:
- A participle clause is a dependent clause which uses a participle form of a verb. These clauses are used to avoid making sentences
overly complicated. They are used mainly in written English and they allow us to convey a great deal of information in a shorter
form.
II. Using
- To replace a relative clause
Ex: She was the nurse looking after the patients at the time (who was looking).
The girl taken to the hospital was 13 years old (who was taken).
1. Present participle clauses ( Note that present participles have a similar meaning to active verbs )

● To give the result of an action

Ex: The bomb exploded, destroying the building.
● To give the reason for an action
Ex: Knowing she loved reading, Richard bought her a book.
● To talk about an action that happened at the same time as another action
Ex: Standing in the queue, I realised I didn't have any money.
● To add information about the subject of the main clause
Ex: Starting in the new year, the new policy bans cars in the city centre.

2. Past participle clauses

● 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.

3. Perfect participle clauses

- Perfect participle clauses show that the action they describe was finished before the action in the main clause.
Ex: Having finished their training, they will be fully qualified doctors.

● Perfect participles can be structured to make an active or passive meaning.

Ex: Having got dressed, he slowly went downstairs.

Having been made redundant, she started looking for a new job.
4. 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.

Ex: 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.

INFINITIVE CLAUSES

1. An infinitive can be just an infinitive or have an additional object or adverb.

ex: A ride on a London bus is the best way to see the city.

2. To start a sentence

ex: To be a successful surgeon is the dream of many young children.

(= It is the dream of many young children to be a successful surgeon.)

3. Prepositions stand in the usual position, usually after verbs to be or adjectives

ex: My job was to give the patients their lunch.

I am excited to meet him.

III. Exercises
1. After _____ (eat) three hamburgers, it’s no wonder you feel sick!
2. ________ (tell) exactly what to do, I was pretty confident I wouldn’t embarrass myself.
3. ________ (give) the opportunity, would you like to spend a year abroad?
4. Philip was the only person _______ (keep) the committee on track.
5. _______ (see) an advert in the paper, we decided to write off for more information.
6. A woman ________ (wear) a blue hat opened the door.
7. After ________ (make) a statement, I was allowed to leave.
8. _______ (listen) from the top of the stairs, Jill and I could hear raised voices.
9. _______ (get) onto the property ladder is the aim of most young couples.
10. I was told that I was _______ (make) sure that the press would be there.
Answers:
1. eating/having eaten
2. having been told
3. given
4. keeping/who was keeping
5. having seen
6. wearing
7. having made
8. listening
9. to get/getting
10. to make