Participle clauses

Level C2 · Having finished, she left

What is a participle clause?

A participle clause makes a sentence shorter by removing the subject and a linking word. It is typical of written and formal English.

Three forms

-ing for active: Walking home, I met Sam.
Past participle for passive: Built in 1900, it …
Having done for an earlier action.

Examples

**Having finished** the report, she left. — = After she had finished …

Watch out: The subject must be the same in both parts. Not “Walking home, the rain started.”

The rule

Shorten clauses with participles: -ing for active, past participle for passive, having done for an earlier action. The subject must be the same.

Two clauses → one: After she had finished the report, she went home. → Having finished the report, she went home.

Important

Avoid dangling participles: 'Walking home, the rain started' means the rain was walking.

Practise this lesson — Practice rounds, a score and your progress are in the free app.

Practise this lesson · Start learning — it’s free