Participle Clauses

Participle Clauses use:

• the present form of the verb -ing (gerund) or 
• past participle – ed – (3^rd form) of the verb 

to say things in a quicker, more direct way. For example:

• Knowing there was very little time left, he changed the plan. 
• Completed under budget and ahead of time, the project was a major success.
• Having been in that position, I understood how she felt. 
• After graduating from Harvard, he joined a tech company. 

There are three main types of Participle Clause, which the examples above show:

1. Present Participle – using the gerund/ ing – ‘Understanding the danger, he ran.’
2. Past Participle – using Past ‘usually ed’ form – ‘Destroyed by fire, it was rebuilt.’
3. Having + 3^rd form – called ‘Perfect Participles’ – For actions which have happened, and cause/ effect the following clause – ‘Having taken a risk, he was rewarded.’
4. Preposition + gerund – following the preposition + gerund rule – ‘In spite of hating the beach, he enjoyed the day.’

The Chart below outlines the reason, form and several examples for each section. 

If we look at the examples given at the top of the page, we can see how Participle Clauses often replace subject + verb Clauses, Relative Clauses and Passive sentences in each section. 

The following section outline the examples from the top of the page and other examples to show how Participle Clauses replace other types of sentence structures. 

1. Present Participle Clauses

• Knowing there was very little time left, he changed the plan. 

As I knew there was very little time left …… subject + verb clause

• Who is/ was the girl playing the cello? …. 

Who is the girl who is/ was playing the cello? Replacing relative clause in present/ past. 

2. Past Participle Clauses 

• Completed under budget and ahead of time, the project was a major success.

The project, which was completed under budget and ahead of time, was a major success. Relative (passive) Clause

• We only use recycled paper in our products. 

We only use paper which was/ is/ has been recycled. Replacing Relative Clause. 

3. Having + 3^rd Form 

• Having been in that position, I understood how she felt. 

I was in that position before so I understood how he felt.  Subject + verb clause 

• Having seen the problem before, I knew what to do. 

As/ Since/ Because I had seen the problem before …… Replacing clause of reason

I had seen the problem before so I knew what to do …… Replacing clause of result. 

4. Preposition + Present Participle (gerund) 

• After graduating from Harvard, he joined a tech company. 

After he graduated from Harvard …….   Subject + verb clause. 

Note – This form of Participle Clause also includes conjunctions and replaces a Subject + Verb structure in a sentence. For example:

• After graduating (After he graduated) from university, he founded a company. 
• While listening (While I was listening) to the radio, I cleaned the house. 

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