2.2.- Grammar: participle clauses

TEFL volunteers in Lugano Switzerland

Source: https://www.gooverseas.com/sites/default/files/styles/494x342_scale_crop/public/volunteer/feb-8-2016/138122-travelnstudy.jpg?itok=j4oZ4XMk

What is the worst surprise you have experienced when travelling?

A Journey Full of Surprises

 

Having bought our tickets, we boarded the ferry, excited for our adventure across the vast river. The sun shone brightly, and the gentle rocking of the boat made the journey peaceful.

 

Feeling tired, we eventually stopped for a rest after hiking for hours through rugged terrain. The air was dry, reminding us that the Atacama, located in Chile and Peru, is the world’s driest desert.

 

As we continued our journey, a lion approached, looking hungry. Fear gripped us, but we remembered that handled carefully, those creatures are not dangerous. We moved slowly, avoiding sudden movements, until the lion lost interest and walked away.

 

Moving on, we reached a high cliff. Not wanting to take any chances, they kept away from the cliff edge, making sure to step cautiously on the rocky ground.

 

Later, while driving through a narrow dirt road, Carlos was in the lead. Noticing the huge hole in the road, Carlos hit the brakes just in time, saving us from a possible accident.

 

As night fell, we crossed an old wooden bridge to reach our final destination. Suddenly, the bridge collapsed, leaving us stranded on the island. With no way back, we set up camp, hoping for rescue at sunrise.

Reading Comprehension Exercise:

https://www.topworksheets.com/t/q64l95T_Qn4

Types of Participle Clauses

1.- Present participle active (-ing)

Waiting for my new connection, I wished I had better taken a flight.

This type of participle clauses are used for two-event clauses that be related to each other in different ways:

a) to express a cause:

Realising the mountain top was covered in mist, we decided to turn back. (Because we realised...)

The participle clause, which states the cause, normally comes first.

b) for describing the subject of the main clause:

The volunteers arrived at the clinic feeling a little nervous.

c) two simultaneous events with the same subject:

The woman hurried after her dog, calling him to come back.

d) one event happening during another:

The new volunteer hurt himself (while) playing football.

2.- The past participle (-ed)

Stuck in Basel, I decided to go outside.

It has a passive sense, for exmple, 'Stuck in Basel refers to 'I was stuck in Basel'. However, this type particple clause can be used in the following cases:

a) to express a cause:

Ignored by the other children, the boy played by himself. (= Because he was ignored ...)

 The participle clause usually comes first. 

b) for description: 

Surrounded on three sides by mountains, the village rarely enjoys much sunshine. 

c) to express a condition: 

Kept in a cool place, yoghurt will remain fresh for a long time. (= If yoghurt is kept in a cool place ...) 

3.- The perfect participle, active (having -ed)

Having realised I lost the connection to Hamburg, I started to yell.

 It is used to show that the event of the participle clause happened first.

4.- The perfect participle, passive (having been -ed) 

Having been given my new train ticket the next day, the costumer service agent said it was unbelievable what I happened.

It is used when the action of the participle clause happens before the action of the main clause and the participle clause usually comes first.

Source: https://www.englishexercises.org/makeaga

me/viewgame.asp?id=13317

Collaborative exercises 1 and 3 on page 18

Online exercise about participle clauses

https://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=13317