Participle Clauses / relative clauses

Relative clauses - basic

Defining relative clauses

Non-defining relative clauses

Participle Clauses (BBC English in 6 mins)

 

suggest   ·   fill   ·   scatter   ·   have   ·   moor

bathe   ·   look   ·   sit   ·   wear

 

1.There are three people ________

 on the grass.    

2.In the background there's a woman

________ in a river.        

3.And there is also a boat _______

 by the river.      

4.In the main group there are two men

 ________ a conversation.          

5.And there's a woman not

________ any clothes _______ at the artist.                        

6.There are some clothes, presumably hers,

_________ about on the ground.             

7.In the foreground there are various things

________  they have had a picnic.            

8.For example there is a basket half

 ________ with fruit.

 

Functions of Adverbial Participle Clauses

 

Consecutive - one action immediately follows another

It is important that one action happened before another

"Reaching the summit, they were greeted by a stunning view".

Cause - because of (since, as) participle clause 

"Feeling unwell, he decided to go home early"

Condition - the idea of if /when + participle clause, then 

" (By) Arriving early, you'll be able to secure the best seats."

Simultaneous - two actions happen at the same time

"Smiling brightly, she greeted her guests."

Result - participle clause is a result of x

"The volcano erupted, destroying the village."

Types of participle clause

Present Participle Clauses:

• Adverbial:

"Walking to the store, I noticed a new bakery." (While I was walking to the store...) 

• Adjectival:

"The children playing in the park were laughing loudly." (The children who were playing in the park...) 

• Noun-like:

"Eating healthy is important for good health." (The act of eating healthy...) 

Past Participle Clauses:

• Adverbial:

"Supported by her friends, she felt confident." (Because she was supported by her friends...) 

• Adjectival:

"The book, written by a famous author, became a bestseller." (The book which was written by a famous author...) 

Perfect Participle Clauses:

• Adverbial:

"Having finished her homework, she went to bed." (After she had finished her homework...) 

• Adjectival:

"The team, having practiced all week, was ready for the game." (The team which had practiced all week...) 

Practice

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