Joy English · Level C1 · Participle clausesjoy-english.com
Participle clauses and reduced clauses
Name:Date:
Make writing tighter with -ing, -ed and perfect participle clauses, and avoid dangling participles.
Choose the correct form
Choose the option that correctly completes each sentence.
- ___ the report twice, Lena was confident there were no errors.
- ___ in the early nineteenth century, the mill is now a museum.
- Which sentence is correct?
- The delegates ___ the proposal were asked to submit forms.
- ___ with a tight deadline, the team worked through the weekend.
- With the budget ___, the project could finally begin.
- ___ any experience, he found it hard to get an interview.
- The package, ___ yesterday, still has not been delivered.
Complete the clauses
Type the correct participle form of the verb in brackets, adding Not, Having or Being if needed.
- ___ (finish) their exams, the students left the hall.
- The woman ___ (sit) by the window is my aunt.
- ___ (not / know) the way, we asked a passer-by.
- Most of the paintings ___ (damage) in the flood were restored.
- ___ (write) in a hurry, the letter contained several mistakes.
- The task ___ (complete), everyone went home.
- Not ___ (want) to be late, she took a taxi.
- ___ (be) a keen gardener, he knew exactly when to plant.
Answer key
Choose the correct form
- c) Having checkedThe checking was completed before she felt confident, so we use the perfect participle: Having checked.
- d) BuiltThe mill was built (passive), so the past participle Built is used.
- b) Walking along the shore, we saw a dolphin.The people who walk are the subject of the main clause. The other sentences have a dangling or incorrect participle.
- c) opposingThe reduced relative clause has an active meaning, so we use the -ing form: opposing.
- b) FacedThe team was faced with the deadline (passive meaning), so we use the past participle Faced with.
- d) approvedThe budget was approved (passive), so the past participle is used after with + noun.
- a) Not havingA negative participle clause is formed with Not + -ing.
- c) sentThe package was sent (passive), so the past participle sent is used in the reduced clause.
Complete the clauses
- Having finishedFinishing the exams happened before leaving, so we use the perfect participle: Having finished.
- sittingThe reduced relative clause is active, so we use sitting.
- Not knowingA negative participle clause is formed with Not + -ing: Not knowing.
- damagedThe paintings were damaged (passive), so the past participle is used.
- WrittenThe letter was written (passive), so we use the past participle Written.
- completedIn this absolute construction, the task was completed, so we use the past participle.
- wantingAfter Not the participle clause uses the -ing form: Not wanting.
- BeingThe clause gives a reason (because he was a keen gardener), so we use Being.