Sentence structure: Advanced clauses
Skilled writers shorten and pack their sentences: participle clauses with -ing and V3, noun clauses that work like nouns, reduced relative clauses and absolute constructions.
Bring the pieces togetherIn this chapter
Why?
These structures give the same information in a shorter, smoother way, especially in writing. Turkish endings like -ken, -ince and -dikten sonra often match them.
Patterns
Participle clause: -ing: Walking home, I saw a rainbow. · Participle clause: V3 (passive): Built in 1890, the clock tower still works. · Earlier action: Having + V3: Having finished my homework, I went out to play. · Noun clause: What she said surprised everyone. · Absolute construction: Her eyes shining, she opened the gift.
Participle clauses
Turkish -ken ≈ -ing. The hidden subject is the same as the main subject (I).
Example: Walking home, I saw a rainbow.
Example: Built in 1890, the clock tower still works.
Noun clauses
The whole clause is the subject; it has no question order inside (what she said).
Example: What she said surprised everyone.
Example: I don't know whether he is coming.
Reduced relatives and absolutes
= the girl who is sitting…; who is was dropped.
Example: The girl sitting by the window is my cousin.
Example: Books written by this author are very popular.
Tip
Watch out for dangling participles: the hidden subject of the participle clause must be the main subject. “Walking home, the rain started” is wrong (the rain isn't walking) → Walking home, I got caught in the rain.
Position 1 of 2 chapters at C2.