Participle phrases

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Participle phrases
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We sometimes begin a sentence with a participle
phrase. There are two types of participle
phrases present participle phrases and past
participle phrases.
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Present participle phrases
A present participle phrase begins with a present
participle (the -ing form of a verb, e.g.
hearing, seeing). It can be used to replace an
active verb in the simple present and simple
past.
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We can use a present participle phrase to show
? the reason why something happens.
main clause (result)
present participle phrase (reason)
Seeing the snake on the path, Sam stopped walking.
( Sam stopped walking because he saw the snake
on the path.)
What is the subject of the participle phrase and
the main clause?
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? that two actions happen at the same time or one
right after another.
present participle phrase (1st action)
main clause (2nd action)
Arriving at the beach, Susie saw her friends.
( Susie saw her friends right after she arrived
at the beach.)
A comma comes between the participle phrase and
the main clause.
What punctuation mark comes between the
participle phrase and the main clause?
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Past participle phrases
A past participle phrase begins with a past
participle (the form of the main verb in the
perfect tense, e.g. gone, shown). It can be
used to replace a passive verb in the simple
present and simple past.
We learnt about passive verbs in Unit 6 of Book
2B.
Note
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We can use a past participle phrase to show
? the reason why something happens.
past participle phrase (reason)
main clause (result)
Not visited by many people, the country park is
very quiet.
( The country park is very quiet because it is
not visited by many people.)
How do we form a negative participle phrase?
Not past participle phrase
participle phrase
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? that two actions happen at the same time or one
right after another.
past participle phrase (1st action)
main clause (2nd action)
Given a bag of sweets, the little boy stopped
crying.
( The little boy stopped crying when he was
given a bag of sweets.)
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Complete the review using present or past
participle phrases. Use the words in brackets to
help you. You may need to add an article in
some phrases.
Practice
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(bored by / usual city trips),
my friend and I decided to go on an eco holiday
in India. (arrive at) the
Mountain Range Resort, we knew we had made the
right choice. (surround by /
greenery) at the foot of the Himalayas, the
resort has wonderful scenery all around.
(visit / mainly by people) who want
to get close to nature, the resort offers lots of
exciting outdoor activities.
Bored by the usual city trips
Arriving at
Surrounded by greenery
Visited mainly by people
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(not want / to waste any time), we decided to go
kayaking first. (based at / camp) for five
days, we were also able to go trekking, mountain
biking and bird-watching.
(leave / resort), we felt really sad. We
both hope we can return one day.
Not wanting to waste any time
Based at the camp
Leaving the resort
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• The end