Participle clauses let you pack two ideas into one tight sentence. Instead of a full clause with a subject and a conjunction, you use an -ing form or a past participle. They sound polished in reports, emails and presentations: "Having reviewed your file, we can offer you a lower rate."
The pattern
Walking into the office, I noticed the new sign.
Having finished the report, she logged off.
Built in 1920, the house needs a new roof.
01Three forms, three jobs
Use the -ing form for an active action happening at the same time or giving a reason. Use having + past participle when one action finished before the other. Use the past participle when the meaning is passive.
| Form | Example | Full version |
|---|---|---|
| -ing | Knowing the client well, Dana took the lead. | Because Dana knew the client well |
| having + past participle | Having signed the lease, we started packing. | After we had signed the lease |
| past participle | Written in plain English, the guide is easy to follow. | Because it is written in plain English |
| having been + past participle | Having been promoted twice, he knew the system. | Because he had been promoted twice |
02One subject for both parts
The subject of the participle clause must be the same as the subject of the main clause. If it is not, you get a dangling participle, and the sentence says something silly. "Driving to work, a deer jumped out" means the deer was driving. Fix it with a full clause or a new subject.
- While I was driving to work, a deer jumped out.
- Driving to work, I saw a deer jump out.
03Negatives and linking words
Put not before the participle: "Not knowing the address, I called." You can keep a linking word such as after, before, while, when, once or if to make the meaning clear. This is very common in instructions and business writing.
- Before signing, read the fine print.
- Once approved, your refund takes five business days.
- If stored correctly, the salsa lasts two weeks.
04After a noun
A participle can also follow a noun and replace a relative clause. The woman sitting next to me means the woman who was sitting next to me. Applicants hired this year means applicants who were hired this year. Americans say "the man sitting by the door," not "the man sat by the door."
05Common mistakes
Having finish the call, he left.
Having finished the call, he left.
Having is always followed by a past participle.
Walking to the train, my phone died.
While I was walking to the train, my phone died.
The phone was not walking, so the participle dangles.
Knowing not the answer, I guessed.
Not knowing the answer, I guessed.
Not goes before the participle.
Writing in 1850, the novel still feels modern.
Written in 1850, the novel still feels modern.
The novel was written, so the meaning is passive and needs the past participle.