C1 Grammar: Participle Clauses

C1 Grammar: Participle Clauses
ESL Structure Curriculum

ESL Grammar Course

C1: Advanced

An image of a long sentence being edited down to a shorter, more concise one

Participle Clauses

Participle clauses (`-ing` or `-ed` clauses) are a sophisticated way to make writing more concise and elegant. They allow us to combine information without using conjunctions like `and`, `because`, or `after`, or by shortening relative clauses.

Types & Uses:

  • Present Participle (`-ing`): To show reason, result, or simultaneous actions.
  • Past Participle (`-ed`): To replace a passive voice relative clause.
  • Perfect Participle (`having + -ed`): To show that one action was completed before another.

⚠️ Attention: Common Challenges

1. Same Subject: The participle clause must have the same subject as the main clause. The implied subject of the participle is the subject of the main clause.

  • “Feeling tired, I went to bed early.” (I was feeling tired).
  • Incorrect: Feeling tired, the bed was very comfortable. (The bed was not feeling tired).

2. Present vs. Past Participle:

  • Present (`-ing`): Replaces an active verb. “The man who is sitting over there is my boss.” → “The man sitting over there is my boss.”
  • Past (`-ed`): Replaces a passive verb. “The report that was written by Jane is excellent.” → “The report written by Jane is excellent.”

Practice Quiz

1. ____ his work, he went home.

2. The information ____ in this report is confidential.

3. ____ that it was late, she decided to call a taxi.

4. The man ____ next to me on the bus was snoring loudly.

5. ____ by the director, the movie received excellent reviews.

6. ____ the book twice, I still didn’t understand it.

7. ____ no money, he couldn’t afford to take the train.

8. The ideas ____ in his speech were revolutionary.

9. ____ his keys, he had to break a window to get in.

10. The police evacuated the building ____ a bomb.