Ester Caldas

Aina Fiol

- Opening her eyes, the baby began to cry. OR...• When she opened her eyes, the baby...• The baby, who opened her eyes, began...

- Feeling tired, Louise went to bed early. OR...• Because she was feeling tired, Louise...• Louise, who was feeling tired, went...

- Impressed by Jeremy’s work, the manager extended his contract for 5 more years. OR...

• As he was impressed by J’s work, the manager...• The manager, who was impressed by J’s work,

extended...

Different participle clauses

Participle

Present active Washing

Present passive Being washed

Perfect active Having washed

Perfect passive Having been washed

• Participle clauses with a present participle can be used adjectivally

Look at that man sitting in the corner (=who is sitting in the corner)

Who is the girl being interviwed by the journalist? (=who is being interviwed)

• All participle clauses can be used adverbially

Feeling exhausted after the flight, I went to bed as soon as I got to the hotel (=Because I felt exhausted…)

Washed by hand, this jersey will keep its shape for years (=If it is washed by hand…)

• Perfect participle clauses are often adverbial clauses showing when or why something happened

Having made your decision, it is not possible to change your mind (=when you have made…)

Having spent happy holidays in Spain as a child, she was keen to return there with her own family (=because she had spent…)

• The subject of the participle clause is usually the same as that of the main clause. However, it is possible to have participle clauses with a different subject.

There being no money left, we had to start making our way home (=because there was no money left…)

It being too late to get a bus, we took a taxi (=because it was to late…)

• When the participle clause describes a situation, a different subject is often introduced with the word with

I was beginning to get a headache with the children all talking at the same time