LoginParticiple Clauses
In this lesson we learn about participle clauses, which are essential groups of words that include a participle and provide more information about a noun or action. Clear explanations and practice exercises to help you learn.
What Is a Participle Clause?
A participle clause is a type of dependent clause that is introduced by a participle. It is a non-finite clause, meaning that it does not have a specific tense or subject. Participle clauses often act as nouns, adjectives, or adverb in a sentence.
Participle Clauses: Types
There are different types of participles and accordingly, different types of participle clauses in English which include:
Present Participle Clauses
Present participle clauses show that two actions happened at the same time. They can be used as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs of reason and result. Look at the examples below:
Eating in this restaurant is very expensive.
a present participle clause used as a noun
The old men sitting on a bench in the park discussed the current situation.
a present participle clause used as an adjective
The volcano erupted, destroying the village.
a present participle clause used as an adverb of result
Shaking angrily, she left the room.
a present participle clause showing that two actions happened at the same time
Past Participle Clauses
Past participle clauses use the past participle form of the verb. They can be used as adjectives, complements, and adverbs of reason and condition. Take a look at the examples:
The car damaged in the accident was towed away.
a past participle clause used as an adjective
Exhausted from the long journey, they went straight to bed.
a past participle clause used as an adverb of reason
Given enough time, she can solve any problem.
a past participle clause used as a condition clause
I found the letter torn into pieces.
a past participle clause used as object complement
Perfect Participle Clauses
'Perfect participle' clauses are used to indicate an action that was completed before the action in the main clause. 'Perfect participles' can be used as adjectives or adverbs. For example:
Having finished their homework, they walked downstairs to go to the restaurant.
a perfect participle clause used as an adverb
The report having been finalized yesterday is ready for submission.
a perfect participle clause used as an adjective
The table below shows the specific functions that each type of participle can perform.
noun | adjective | adverb | |
|---|---|---|---|
present participle clause | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
past participle clause | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
perfect participle clause | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Tip!
Participle clauses are common in written English, especially in literary, academic, or journalistic style, because they allow the writer to include information without making long or complicated sentences.
Participle Clauses: Negation
To make the participles negative, all we have to do is to add the word 'not' before the participles. check out the examples:
Not having slept for eighteen hours, he felt sick.
Not satisfied with the results, she decided to redo the experiment.
Not feeling well, I left work early.
Participle Clauses with Prepositions
Prepositions such as 'before', 'after', 'instead of', 'on', 'since', and 'in spite of' are commonly used with participles (especially present participles) to further emphasize or clarify the order, time, cause, and effect of the event. Pay attention to the examples:
Before giving the speech, she reviewed the text.
Since coming to China, I haven't seen my family.
Without knowing it, I hurt his feelings.
Once given the opportunity, she excelled in her role.
Review
Participle clauses begin with a participle. They are used to shorten a long structure or sentence. Remember participle clauses are non-finite. Participle clauses are used as:
nouns
complements
adjectives
adverbs
Quiz:
Which of the following sentences uses a participle clause to show two actions happening at the same time?
Having completed the assignment, he went home.
Shaken by the news, she couldn’t speak.
Shaking with excitement, he opened his birthday present.
Driven by his passion, he started the project.
Match the sentence with the type of participle clause it uses.
Fill the table by selecting the function of the participle clause in the sentence.
| Sentence | Function of participle clause |
|---|---|
Running every morning improves your stamina. | |
Noticing the mistake, she quickly corrected it. | |
Having completed the task, they took a short break. | |
The children playing outside are very noisy. | |
I enjoy reading historical novels. | |
The man standing by the door is the teacher. |
Sort the words to make a sentence with a negative participle clause.
Which sentence correctly uses a participle clause with a preposition?
Instead of complained about the issue, he stayed silent.
After finishing her homework, she went to play outside.
Before to start the meeting, they checked the projector.
Without speak a word, he left the room.
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