(I) Participles

Three Types of Participles1. Present Participles (‘ing’ of the verb)

* e.g. sleeping, daydreaming, writing

2. Past Participles (PPT of the verb (either ‘ed’ form or irregular forms)

* e.g. stolen, burnt, retired

3. Perfect Participles (Having + PPT)

Usages of Participles

1. Form a verb

e.g. a. I am frightening you.

b. I have frightened you.

2a. Used as an adjective

a. Present Participles Continuous action

b. Past Participles Completed action

e.g. i. Look out! People are running out of the burning house.

ii. After the firemen put out the fire, the victims looked sadly at their burnt houses.

Other examples of present participles:

1. a sinking ship2. a dying man3. the falling leaves4. the shining sun5. the running water6. the missing child7. a speeding car8. a leaking pipe9. A dripping tap

Other examples of past participles:

1. a lost wallet2. a broken watch3. a damaged car4. a retired fireman5. a broken heart6. a wounded man7. a torn book

2b. Used as an adjective

a. Present Participles active voice

b. Past Participles passive voice

e.g. i. Crocodiles are frightening features that all people feel scared of them.

ii. With a crocodile nearby, the frightened boy was trembling.

Other examples of present participles:

1. a smiling kid

2. a crying girl

3. a singing bird

4. a barking dog

Other examples of past participles:

1. a snow-covered mountain2. a stolen car3. frozen meat4. an isolated village5. the chosen numbers6. fried chicken wings7. a recommended tour8. an injured passenger9. the affected customers

Are the underlined words gerunds or participles?1. I like swimming.2. Collecting stamps is a good habit.3. The crying baby is annoying.4. The injured man was my father.5. I have done my homework.6. I am daydreaming in all the lessons

today.

• Gerunds

function as NOUNs

• Participles

function as ADJECTIVES or part of the verbs

2c. Used as an adjective to talk about feeling

a. Present Participles Active / sth. that makes you feel in a certain way

b. Past Participles Passive / how you feel about sth

e.g. i. The film is boring.

ii. The bored children started to get restless.

Other examples:

1. I am pleased with the result.

2. The result is pleasing.

3. a relaxing experience

4. I felt relaxed in Thailand.

5. an amusing story

6. We were fascinated by the parade.

7. I am interested in reading science fiction.

(II) Participle Clauses

A. Participle clause used as an adjective clause to describe a subject or object

The girl is wearing glasses.

She is Ryan’s girlfriend.

1. The girl who is wearing glasses is Ryan’s girlfriend. (Adjective Clause)

• The girl wearing glasses is Ryan’s girlfriend. (Present Participle Clause)

Another example:

1. The boy felt upset.

He was scolded by his mother.

2. The boy who was scolded by his mother felt upset. (adjective clause)

3. The boy scolded by his mother felt upset. (Past Participle Clause)

Exercises

1. The students who attend this band one school are all intelligent.

2. The car has been found. It was stolen last week.

3. The cakes were delicious. They were made with honey.

Answers

1. The students attending this band one school are all intelligent.

2. The car stolen last week has been found. (=which was stolen last week)

3. The cakes made with honey were delicious. (= which were made with honey)

B. Participle clause used as an adverbial clause (adverb) to express different ideas of time.1. When one action happens in the middle of another.

e.g.

a. He fell asleep while he was doing homework.

He fell asleep while doing homework.

b. When she was zipping up her tent, she heard some strange noise in the bushes behind her.

Zipping up her tent, she heard some strange noise in the bushes behind her.

B. Participle clause used as an adverbial clause (adverb) to express different ideas of time.2. When two actions happen at the same time

e.g.

a. She was lying on her bed and she was reading a book.

She was lying on her bed reading a book.

b. He drove along the street and looked for a place to park his car.

He drove along the street looking for a place to park his car.

B. Participle clause used as an adverbial clause (adverb) to express different ideas of time.3. When one action happens immediately after another.

e.g.

a. I heard a shout for help and then I looked around.

Hearing a shout for help, I looked around.

b. Amy picked up her pen and started to write the letter.

Picking up her pen, Amy started to write the letter.

Participle Phrases after conjunctions of time

1. They always watch television while having dinner.2. On hearing the news that the teacher was absent,

the whole class cheered loudly.3. Before leaving home, I switched off all the lights.4. When scolded by the teacher, Jack lowered his

head. / When being scolded by …

1. She was promoted to F.4. Agnes had to take a special examination. (Before….) Before being promoted to F.4, Agnes had to take a special examination.

After

On

As

Since

Before + No subject + Participle Clause

When

By

While

Whenever

Perfect Participle Clause

• 1. After she had taken her Master’s degree, she applied for a job.

Having taken her Master’s degree, she applied for a job.

c. Participle clause used to express reasons.

1. As she was frightened by the scorpion, she screamed and rushed out of her tent. Frightened by the scorpion, she screamed and rushed out of her tent.

2. I felt very tired, so I stayed at home all day and night instead of going out. Feeling tired, I stayed at home all day and night instead of going out.

3. Since I was not in a hurry, I took a tram.Not being in a hurry, I took a tram.

Points to note: Same subjects?1. I walked down the street. The library came to my view.Walking down the street, the library

came to my view. (correct?)

2.As it was a cold day, Mary put on her fur coat. It being a cold day, Mary put on her fur coat.

Revision Exercises

1. He found a stolen car. It was abandoned at the roadside. He found a stolen car abandoned at the roadside.

2. A ______ (care) social worker comforted the ____________ (worry) parents.

3. The ________(terrify) workers escaped from the __________ (burn) building.

caringworried

terrifiedburning

4. Since I can’t stand living in such a crowded flat, I decided to move out.

5. The old lady sat on the bench and watched the children playing happily.

6. The bus was packed with people. We had to stand all the way.

4. Not being able to stand living in such a crowded flat, I decided to move out.

5. The old lady sat on the bench watching the children playing happily. / Sitting on the bench, the old lady watched the children playing happily.

6. The bus packed with people, we had to stand all the way.

7. Please switch off the air-conditioner. Do it before you leave the room. (Before…)

8. He was encouraged by his teachers. Jason made a lot of progress. (After…)

9. The boy was given anti-rabies injections. He had been bitten by a stray dog. (The boy…)

7. Before leaving the room, please switch off the air-conditioner.

8. After being encouraged by his teachers, Jason made a lot of progress.

9. The boy bitten by a stray dog was given anti-rabies injections.

10. After he had been warned by the doctor, he did not take alcoholic drink anymore.

11. If you take a taxi, you will get there earlier. (By…)

12. After I heard your explanation, I allowed you to take the test again.

10. Having been warned by the doctor, he …

11. By taking a taxi, you will get there earlier.

12. After hearing your explanation, I allowed … / Having heard your explanation, I allowed …