Participle clauses

Rules

• Rule 1: Both parts need the same subject

  The hidden subject of the participle clause must be the same as the subject of the main clause. Otherwise the sentence becomes funny (this is called a dangling participle)!

  Pattern: (hidden subject) -ing …, same subject + verb …

  Example: Opening the fridge, Mert found a big watermelon.

  Example: Looking up, we saw a rainbow.

• Rule 2: -ing = same time / reason (active)

  If the subject does the action itself and the two actions happen at the same time (or right after each other), or one is the reason for the other, we use -ing.

  Pattern: V-ing …, subject + verb

  Example: Humming a song, Grandma made the pastry.

  Example: Feeling cold, I closed the window.

• Rule 3: Having + V3 = the earlier action

  If one action was completed before the other, we use Having + V3. The passive version is Having been + V3 (Having been invited …).

  Pattern: Having + V3 …, subject + verb

  Example: Having packed our bags, we waited for the taxi.

  Example: Having lived in Japan, Deniz can use chopsticks well.

• Rule 4: V3 = passive meaning

  If the subject doesn't do the action but the action is done to it (passive), we use the past participle (V3).

  Pattern: V3 …, subject + verb

  Example: Painted by a famous artist, the picture is very valuable.

  Example: Surprised by the thunder, the puppy hid under the sofa.

• Rule 5: After nouns, after conjunctions, and the negative

  Participles can also describe a noun: the girl standing there (= who is standing), the cake made by Mom (= which was made). They can follow conjunctions like when, while, after, before, once, if: *While waiting…, Once opened…* For the negative, put not first: Not knowing, Not having seen.

  Pattern: noun + V-ing / V3 · Not + V-ing / having + V3

  Example: The man selling balloons is my uncle.

  Example: Not having a map, we asked a shopkeeper for directions.

Common mistakes

• Walking to school, the rain started. → Walking to school, I got caught in the rain.

  The rain doesn't walk to school! The subjects must match.

• Having finish lunch, we played. → Having finished lunch, we played.

  After Having, use the V3.

• Writing in 1850, the book is still popular. → Written in 1850, the book is still popular.

  A book is written (passive) → V3.