Participle clauses are frequently encountered in English articles and exams, be it a reading or grammar test. This lesson is designed to help you learn how to transform sentences into participle structures. Primarily, participle clauses can be utilized to simplify three types of sentences: sentences with adverb clauses, sentences with coordinating conjunctions, and non-defining clauses introduced by “which". If you're unfamiliar with these sentence structures, it would be beneficial to first review Lessons 17, 18, and 21.
Lesson Introduction
Part 1
Simplifying Sentences with Adverb Clauses Using Participle Clauses
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Key Points |
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<1> We can simplify adverb clauses into participle clauses if the subject of the adverb clause and the subject of the main clause are the same. (2) If the verb in the adverb clause is in the passive voice, eliminate the 'be' verb. |
▶️Example 1:
When I walked down the street yesterday night, I saw James.
👉 Both the subject of the adverb clause and the main clause are “I”. Hence, we can simplify this sentence using the participle clause.
Step 1: We first remove the subordinating conjunction “When” and the subject “I” in the adverb clause
When I walked down the street yesterday night, I saw James.
Step 2: Next, change the verb “walk” to “walking”, and you will get:
Walking down the street last night, I saw James.
▶️Example 2:
Since it is situated right downtown, the department store is always busy during the weekend.
👉 The subject “it” in the adverb clause refers to “the department store”. Hence, we can simplify this sentence using the participle clause.
Step 1: We first remove the subordinating conjunction “Since” and the subject “it” in the adverb clause
Since it is situated right downtown, the department store is always busy during the weekend.
Step 2: Since the word “is situated” is in the passive voice, we can remove the “is”, so the sentence will become:
is Situated right downtown, the department store is always busy during the weekend.
More examples of participle clauses:
Because I have spent
all my savings on a new house, I couldn't afford to buy a new car. =
Having spent all my savings on a new house, I couldn't afford to buy
a new car.
After she had unpacked the suitcases, she took a shower. = Having
unpacked the suitcases, she took a shower.
Sometimes, we keep the subordinating conjunctions. For example:
After we ate, we sat on the couch = After eating, we sat on the
couch.
Since I came to Japan, I have met a lot of new people.= Since
coming to Japan, I have met a lot of new people.
TOEIC Example: ______ the same situation before, the CEO is aware of how complicated it can be and immediately call for an urgent meeting.
(A) Dealt with
(B) Dealt in
(C) Having dealt with
(D) Being dealt with
The correct answer is (C) Having dealt with.
We can view this question sentence as “Because the CEO has dealt with the same situation before, the CEO is aware of how complicated it can be and immediately call for an urgent meeting”.
In this case, where the subject of the main clause ('the CEO') is the same as the subject of the subordinate clause (also 'the CEO'), we can simplify the sentence using the participle clause.
Step 1: We first remove the subordinating conjunction “because” and the subject “CEO” in the adverb clause
Because the CEO has dealt with the same situation before, the CEO is aware of how complicated it can be and immediately call for an urgent meeting.
Step 2: Next, change the verb “has dealt with” to the form of ing, and you will get:
Having dealt with the same situation before, the CEO is aware of how complicated it can be and immediately call for an urgent meeting.
Hence, the answer is (C) Having dealt with.
TOEIC Example: _____ less than 4 years ago, the Giant corporation has become one of the leading car manufacturers in Europe.
(A) Established
(B) Has been established
(C) Has established
(D) Establishing
The correct answer is (A) Established.
We can view this question sentence as "Since the Giant corporation was established less than 4 years ago, the Giant corporation has become one of the leading car manufacturers in Europe".
The subject of the adverb clause and the subject of the main clause are both the Giant corporation, so we can simplify the sentence using the participle clause.
Step 1: We first remove the conjunction “since” and the subject “the Giant corporation” in the adverb clause
Since the Giant corporation was established less than 4 years ago, the Giant corporation has become one of the leading car manufacturers in Europe.
Step 2: Since “established” is passive, remove the be verb “was” and you will get:
Was Established less than 4 years ago, the Giant corporation has become one of the leading car manufacturers in Europe.
Hence, the answer is (A) Established.
Simplifying Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions Using Participle Clauses
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Key Points |
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When the subjects of two dependent clauses are the same, we can simplify the sentence using participle clauses. The simplified steps are:
Step 1:
Step 2: |
Let's look at two examples.
▶️ Example 1
The manager came into the meeting room, and he eagerly found a place to sit.
👉 “he” refers to the manager, so the subject of the two dependent clauses is the same.
Step 1: Let’s omit the subject “he” in the second dependent clause and remove the coordinating conjunction “and”.
The manager came into the meeting room, and he eagerly found a place to sit.
Step 2: The verb after the omitted subject should be changed to a participle. If the verb is in the active voice, change the verb to a gerund (Ving).
The manager came into the meeting room, eagerly finding a place to sit.
▶️ Example 2
The manager was not satisfied with the proposal, so he asked Bob to rewrite the proposal.
👉 “he” refers to the manager, so the subject of the two dependent clauses is the same. Hence, we can simplify this sentence using the participle clause.
1. The first way to rewrite:
Step 1: Let’s omit the subject “he” in the second dependent clause and remove the coordinating conjunction “so ”.
The manager was not satisfied with the proposal, so he asked Bob to rewrite the proposal.
Step 2: The verb after the omitted subject should be changed to a participle. If the verb is in the passive voice, remove the be verb.
The manager was not satisfied with the proposal, asking Bob to rewrite the proposal.
Continue to next part:
Part 2
Simplifying Sentences with Non-defining Clauses Using Participle Clauses
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Key Points |
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We can simplify sentences with non-defining clauses introduced by “which" using participle clauses. The simplified steps are:
Step 1:
Step 2: |
Let's look at an example:
Cancer is one of the most common diseases in modern society, which kills millions of people each year.
Step 1: We first remove the relational pronoun “which”
Cancer is one of the most common diseases in modern society, which kills millions of people each year.
Step 2: Next, change the verb “kill” to “killing”, and the sentence becomes:
Cancer is one of the most common diseases in modern society, killing millions of people each year.
Here are more example sentences:
Wind power costs about the same as coal, which makes it an
affordable source of alternative energy. = Wind power costs about
the same as coal, making it an affordable source of alternative
energy.
Many drivers use their mobile phones
while driving, which
causes increasing numbers of road accidents. = Many drivers use
their mobile phones
while driving, causing
increasing numbers of road accidents.
TOEIC Example: Louisa Coffee has been seeking to expand overseas, ____ four stores in Thailand at the end of 2020, while it is surveying markets in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the U. S., and China.
(A) open
(B) to open
(C) opening
(D) opens
The correct answer is (C) opening.
We can view this question sentence as “Louisa Coffee has been seeking to expand overseas, which opened four stores in Thailand at the end of 2020, while it is surveying markets in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the U. S., and China.”
We can simplify sentences with non-defining clauses introduced by “which" using participle clauses. The simplified steps are:
Step 1: Remove the relational pronoun “which”
Louisa Coffee has been seeking to expand overseas, which opened four stores in Thailand at the end of 2020, while it is surveying markets in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the U. S., and China.
Step 2: Next, change the verb “opened” to the form of ing, and you will get:
Louisa Coffee has been seeking to expand overseas, opening four stores in Thailand at the end of 2020, while it is surveying markets in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the U. S., and China.
Hence, the correct answer is (C) opening.
This is the final section of the lesson. I'm ready to start the review exercises!
Review Exercise (1/5)
Submit Answer
done That's right! Correct answer is "((C))".
clear Not quite. ((C)) is the correct answer.
The correct answer is (C) reconfirming.
We can view this question sentence as “The GH Association honored NexElec as the best semiconductor distributor at the electronics fair in Paris, which reconfirmed its international status as the number one source of quality electronic components.”
We can simplify sentences with non-defining clauses introduced by “which" using participle clauses. The simplified steps are:
Step 1: Remove the relational pronoun “which”
The GH Association honored NexElec as the best semiconductor distributor at the electronics fair in Paris, which reconfirmed its international status as the number one source of quality electronic components.
Step 2: Next, change the verb “reconfirmed” to the form of “Ving”, and you will get:
The GH Association honored NexElec as the best semiconductor distributor at the electronics fair in Paris, reconfirming its international status as the number one source of quality electronic components.
Hence, the correct answer is (C) reconfirming.
Restart Test
Submit Answer
done That's right! Correct answer is "((D))".
clear Not quite. ((D)) is the correct answer.
The correct answer is (D) Missing.
The original structure could have been something like "Because he missed the important interview, the candidate has to find another opportunity to get a new job."
We can simplify adverb clauses into participle clauses if the subject of the adverb clause and the subject of the main clause are the same.
Following the steps to simplify:
Step 1: Remove the subordinating conjunction "because" and the subject "he" of the adverb clause.
Because he missed the important interview, the candidate has to find another opportunity to get a new job.
Step 2: Since the verb "missed" is in the active voice, it should be converted into a gerund (Ving) form. This gives us
"Missing the important interview, the candidate has to find another opportunity to get a new job."
Therefore, the correct sentence is (D) Missing.
Restart Test
Submit Answer
done That's right! Correct answer is "((A))".
clear Not quite. ((A)) is the correct answer.
The correct answer is (A) Delighted.
We can view this question sentence as "Because the Mary Jones Band was delighted by the audience’s positive reaction to its music, the Mary Jones Band played well past midnight.".
The subject of the adverb clause and the subject of the main clause are both “the Mary Jones Band” so we can simplify the sentence using the participle clause.
Step 1: We first remove the conjunction “because” and the subject “the Mary Jones Band” in the adverb clause
Because the Mary Jones Band was delighted by the audience’s positive reaction to its music, the Mary Jones Band played well past midnight.
Step 2: Since “delighted” is passive, remove the be verb “was” and you will get:
Was Delighted by the audience’s positive reaction to its music, the Mary Jones Band played well past midnight.
Hence, the answer is (A) Delighted.
Restart Test
Submit Answer
done That's right! Correct answer is "((B))".
clear Not quite. ((B)) is the correct answer.
The correct answer is (B) Striving.
The original sentence is “As Safeway Foods strived to become the top food provider in the nation, Safeway Foods expanded its distribution chain by 15%.” Here, 'strived' is the verb in the adverb clause.
We can simplify adverb clauses into participle clauses if the subject of the adverb clause and the subject of the main clause are the same.
Following the steps to simplify:
Step 1: The subordinating conjunction as and the subject “Safeway Foods' are eliminated, resulting in:
As Safeway Foods strived to become the top food provider in the nation, Safeway Foods expanded its distribution chain by 15%.
Step 2: The verb 'strived' is in the active voice, so it is converted into a gerund, 'striving.' The transformed sentence becomes:
Striving to become the top food provider in the nation, Safeway Foods expanded its distribution chain by 15%.
Hence, the correct answer is (B) Striving.
Restart Test
Submit Answer
done That's right! Correct answer is "((D))".
clear Not quite. ((D)) is the correct answer.
The correct answer is (C) reducing.
We can view this question sentence as “The government has been implementing stricter regulations, which reduced the emissions of greenhouse gases.”
We can simplify sentences with non-defining clauses introduced by “which" using participle clauses. The simplified steps are:
Step 1: Remove the relational pronoun “which”
The government has been implementing stricter regulations, which reduced the emissions of greenhouse gases.
Step 2: Next, change the verb “reduced” to the form of “Ving”, and you will get:
The government has been implementing stricter regulations, reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases.
Hence, the correct answer is (C) reducing.
Restart Test
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