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English grammar

Participle clauses: perfect, passive, negative — and the dangling trap

C1 · Advanced Joining sentences Questions 10

The rule

B2 introduced participle clauses. C1 uses the full range. A perfect participle shows that one action was complete before the next or caused it: Having worked abroad, she spoke three languages. A passive participle can be past (Written in 1920, the novel…) or perfect passive (Having been told twice, he…). Not goes before the participle: Not knowing the area, we took a taxi. Conjunctions sharpen the link: When leaving…, While waiting…, Once opened…, After being questioned…, Before signing…. The rule that matters most: the understood subject of the participle must be the subject of the main clause. Walking home, the rain started says the rain was walking — a dangling participle, which examiners and editors notice at once. Fix it by changing the main subject (Walking home, I got caught in the rain) or by giving the participle its own subject (It being a sunny day, we…).

Pattern

Having + past participle (done first / cause) · past participle / Having been + past participle (passive) · Not + -ing · When / While / Once / After / Before + participle · the participle’s subject = the main subject

Examples

  1. Having worked abroad for years, she spoke three languages fluently.

  2. Not knowing the area, we took a taxi.

  3. Written in 1920, the novel still feels surprisingly modern.

  4. Once opened, the jar should be kept in the fridge.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: Walking home, the rain started.

    Right: Walking home, I got caught in the rain.

    The participle’s subject must be the subject of the main clause.

  • Wrong: Having finish the exam, we left.

    Right: Having finished the exam, we left.

    having + past participle.

  • Wrong: Knowing not the answer, she guessed.

    Right: Not knowing the answer, she guessed.

    not goes before the participle.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Walking to work, a car nearly hit me.

    1. Walking to work, I was nearly hit by a car.
    2. Walking to work, a car nearly was hit me.
    3. Walking to work, a car was nearly hitting me.
    4. Walked to work, a car nearly hit me.
    Show answer

    Answer: A Walking to work, I was nearly hit by a car.

    The subject of the main clause must be the person walking.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Being warned twice before, he had known the risks.
    2. Having been warn twice, he knew the risks.
    3. Having been warned twice, he knew the risks.
    4. Having warned twice, he knew the risks.
    Show answer

    Answer: C Having been warned twice, he knew the risks.

    Perfect passive participle: having been + past participle.

  3. 3Fill in the gap.

    _____ what to say, I just nodded.

    1. Don’t knowing
    2. Not knowing
    3. No knowing
    4. Knowing not
    Show answer

    Answer: B Not knowing what to say, I just nodded.

    Negative participle: Not + -ing.

  4. 4Choose the correct sentence.

    Which sentence is correct?

    Four sentences about a meeting.

    1. Having read the report, the rejection was quick.
    2. Having read the report, a decision was made to reject it.
    3. Having read the report, it was rejected by the committee.
    4. Having read the report, the committee rejected it.
    Show answer

    Answer: D Having read the report, the committee rejected it.

    The committee did the reading, so it must be the subject.

  5. 5Change the sentence.

    Begin with a participle clause.

    The castle was built in 1350 and has survived three sieges.

    1. Having built in 1350, the castle has survived three sieges.
    2. Built 1350 in, the castle has survived three sieges.
    3. Building in 1350, the castle has survived three sieges.
    4. Built in 1350, the castle has survived three sieges.
    Show answer

    Answer: D Built in 1350, the castle has survived three sieges.

    Passive meaning: past participle alone.

  6. 6Put the words in the right order.

    Once opened the milk should be used within three days

    Show answer

    Answer: Once opened the milk should be used within three days.

    once + past participle: after it has been opened.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    What does the participle clause show here?

    Having lost his keys, he had to wait for his wife.

    1. What he did while waiting
    2. The reason he had to wait
    3. A second, later event
    4. Where he was waiting
    Show answer

    Answer: B The reason he had to wait

    The perfect participle gives the cause.

  8. 8Choose the correct sentence.

    1. While waiting for the bus, I checked my emails.
    2. While I waiting for the bus, I checked my emails.
    3. While wait for the bus, I checked my emails.
    4. While waited for the bus, I checked my emails.
    Show answer

    Answer: A While waiting for the bus, I checked my emails.

    while + -ing, with the same subject.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Having finished the report, the printer broke.

    1. Having finishing the report, the printer broke.
    2. Having finished the report, I found the printer had broken.
    3. Finished the report, the printer broke.
    4. Having finished the report, the printer was broken by me.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Having finished the report, I found the printer had broken.

    The printer did not finish the report: make the writer the subject.

  10. 10Fill in the gap.

    You are writing product instructions.

    _____ opened, store in a cool, dry place.

    1. Ones
    2. Due
    3. Since
    4. Once
    Show answer

    Answer: D Once opened, store in a cool, dry place.

    once + past participle: after opening.

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