Participle clauses. Participle clauses compress information and normally share their understood subject with the main clause.
The idea
A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action.
Structure & examples
Having completed the task, she went for a walk.
Feeling tired, I went home early.
Notice the pattern
The understood subject of a participle clause normally matches the main-clause subject. Walking home, I saw a fox is clear because I was walking. A past participle often has passive meaning; having plus a past participle emphasises that one action finished first.
Feeling hungry, I made a sandwich.
Having checked the map, we continued.
Important notes & common mistakes
The implied subject must match the main clause subject.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Extended topic: Participle clauses
Participle clauses compress information and normally share their understood subject with the main clause. -ing commonly expresses active meaning; past participles commonly express passive meaning. Having + participle emphasises earlier completion. Avoid dangling clauses whose subject does not match.
Examples in context
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
Having finished the report, she went home. (completed first)
Built in 1890, the house needs repairs.
Walking along the street, I saw Jo.
Driving home, I saw a deer.
Shocked by the news, he remained silent.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action.
___ tired, she went to bed.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: Feeling
Completed sentence: Feeling tired, she went to bed. A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action.
___ the address, we set off.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: Having checked
Completed sentence: Having checked the address, we set off. A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action.
___ in clear language, the guide is accessible.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: Written
Completed sentence: Written in clear language, the guide is accessible. A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action.
___ home, I noticed a fox.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: Walking
Completed sentence: Walking home, I noticed a fox. A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action.
Question 1 of 50% complete
___ the task, she went for a walk.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Having completed
A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Feeling
Completed sentence: Feeling tired, she went to bed. A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Having checked
Completed sentence: Having checked the address, we set off. A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Written
Completed sentence: Written in clear language, the guide is accessible. A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Walking
Completed sentence: Walking home, I noticed a fox. A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Feeling
Completed sentence: Use feel as an -ing participle: Feeling cold, I put on a coat. A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Having finished
Completed sentence: Use finish as a perfect participle: Having finished dinner, she washed up. A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Damaged
Completed sentence: Use damage as a past participle: Damaged in the storm, the roof needed repairs. A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Waiting
Completed sentence: Use wait as an -ing participle: Waiting for the train, he read the news. A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Having locked
Completed sentence: Use lock as a perfect participle: Having locked the door, we left. A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Feeling tired, I went home early
A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action. The implied subject must match the main clause subject.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Feeling hungry, I made a sandwich
Feeling hungry, I made a sandwich. A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action. The implied subject must match the main clause subject.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Having checked the map, we continued
Having checked the map, we continued. A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action. The implied subject must match the main clause subject.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Built in stone, the cottage stayed cool
Built in stone, the cottage stayed cool. A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action. The implied subject must match the main clause subject.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Walking through town, she saw a friend
Walking through town, she saw a friend. A participle clause can shorten a clause sharing the main subject. Having + past participle marks an earlier action. The implied subject must match the main clause subject.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Having finished
Completed sentence: Having finished the report, she went home. (completed first) Participle clauses compress information and normally share their understood subject with the main clause. -ing commonly expresses active meaning; past participles commonly express passive meaning. Having + participle emphasises earlier completion. Avoid dangling clauses whose subject does not match.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Built
Completed sentence: Built in 1890, the house needs repairs. Participle clauses compress information and normally share their understood subject with the main clause. -ing commonly expresses active meaning; past participles commonly express passive meaning. Having + participle emphasises earlier completion. Avoid dangling clauses whose subject does not match.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Walking
Completed sentence: Walking along the street, I saw Jo. Participle clauses compress information and normally share their understood subject with the main clause. -ing commonly expresses active meaning; past participles commonly express passive meaning. Having + participle emphasises earlier completion. Avoid dangling clauses whose subject does not match.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Driving home, I saw a deer.
Correct choice: Driving home, I saw a deer. Participle clauses compress information and normally share their understood subject with the main clause. -ing commonly expresses active meaning; past participles commonly express passive meaning. Having + participle emphasises earlier completion. Avoid dangling clauses whose subject does not match.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Shocked
Completed sentence: Shocked by the news, he remained silent. Participle clauses compress information and normally share their understood subject with the main clause. -ing commonly expresses active meaning; past participles commonly express passive meaning. Having + participle emphasises earlier completion. Avoid dangling clauses whose subject does not match.
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