Difficulty
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| A1 | A2 | B1 | (B2) | C1 | C2 |
Participle clauses:
Using a participle clause can increase your level of writing and speaking. Look at the following sentence:
Jim didn’t go out with his friends. He stayed at home and he read a book and he watched a football game.
Using participle clauses:
Jim didn’t go out with his friends. He stayed at home, reading a book and watching a football game.
A participle clause is made using –ed (past participle) or –ing (present participle). We can also use an adverb (a word that describes the verb). A participle clause can be found in different positions in a sentence.
Participle clauses with –ed:
We use –ed participles with passive verbs.
Sarah, commissioned to play the role of narrator, was the best thing that ever happened to the local theatre. (=who was commissioned to player the role of narrator)
I was working alongside two programmers employed by MicroTech. (=who were employed by MicroTech)
Participle clauses with –ing:
We use –ing participles with active verbs.
Teachers working at this school are the nicest you will ever meet. (=who are working at this school)
Life isn’t easy for people earning the minimum wage. (=who are earning the minimum wage)
Participle clauses with adverbs:
We can use an adverb before the beginning of a clause to slightly change the meaning of the verb.
Example adverbs: always, sometimes, formerly, normally, rarely, casually, firstly, hardly, etc…
Rhinos, normally thought of as docile animals, can be very fierce if they are provoked.
Anne, formerly known as the Pageant Queen, has just graduated from college.