Having finished the report, she left: participle clauses
Join ideas with -ing, having + past participle and past participle clauses
What you'll be able to do
Join ideas concisely in stories, reports and formal writing.
The idea
A participle clause replaces a clause with a conjunction (when, because, after, as). Its subject must be the same as the subject of the main clause.
| Form | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ing | at the same time, or a reason | Walking home, I saw an accident. |
| having + past participle | the first action came before | Having finished the report, she went home. |
| past participle | passive meaning | Built in 1890, the bridge is still in use. |
| not + -ing | a negative reason | Not knowing the area, we took a taxi. |
- Feeling tired, he went to bed early.a reason: because he felt tired
- Having lived abroad, she understands the problem.the first action came before
- Written in simple English, the guide is easy to follow.passive meaning
- Not wanting to be late, I left early.a negative reason
The subject must match
Walking to work, the rain started. The rain wasn't walking. Say Walking to work, I got caught in the rain or As I was walking to work, the rain started.
Common mistakes
Having finish the report, …→ Having finished the report, …Not knew the answer, …→ Not knowing the answer, …Arriving at the station, the train had left.The train didn't arrive: Arriving at the station, we found the train had left.
Practice
- _____ the email, she closed her laptop.Options: Having sent · Have sent · Sent
Show the answer
Having sent — The first action came before: having + past participle.
- _____ the way, we asked a police officer for directions.Options: Not knowing · Knowing not · Not knew
Show the answer
Not knowing — A negative reason: not + -ing.
- _____ in 1850, the hotel is the oldest in the city.Options: Built · Building · Having built
Show the answer
Built — Passive meaning (it was built): past participle.
- _____ (feel) ill, he stayed at home.
Show the answer
Feeling — A reason: -ing.
- _____ (live) in Japan for ten years, she speaks Japanese fluently.
Show the answer
Having lived — The first action came before: having + past participle.
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, then practised with questions you answer by choosing or typing. It comes back for review on later days, until you can use it without help.