Participle clauses: In Berlin angekommen, …

You already use participles as adjectives (der lachende Mann, Participles as adjectives: der lachende Mann, das gekochte Ei) and in long attributes (Extended attributes: die seit Jahren steigenden Preise). Written German also uses them as short adverbial clauses: a participle with its own words, usually set off by a comma, that tells you how, when or in what state the subject does something.

Partizip I: at the same time

Partizip I (infinitive + -d) describes something the subject is doing at the same time as the main verb. The meaning is active.

• Im Zug sitzend, beantwortete er seine E-Mails.Sitting on the train, he answered his emails.
• Laut lachend verließ Jonas den Raum.Laughing loudly, Jonas left the room.

Partizip II: completed or passive

Partizip II of a verb that takes sein (ankommen, zurückkehren) shows an action completed before the main verb. Partizip II of a transitive verb has a passive meaning.

• In Berlin angekommen, rief sie sofort ihre Mutter an.Having arrived in Berlin, she rang her mother straight away.
• Von der Kritik gefeiert, wurde der Roman schnell zum Bestseller.Celebrated by the critics, the novel quickly became a bestseller.
• Er stand am Fenster, den Blick auf den Fluss gerichtet.He stood at the window, his gaze fixed on the river.

Where the clause goes

At the start, the participle clause fills the first position, so the finite verb comes straight after the comma. It can also follow the main clause.

The official rules let you leave the comma out in many cases, but writers usually set it, and with a longer clause it makes the sentence much easier to read.

One subject for both

The participle clause has no subject of its own: it must refer to the subject of the main clause. If it doesn't, you get a dangling participle, which sounds as comic in German as in English.

Fixed phrases you hear every day

A handful of participle phrases are fixed and work in speech too. They can stand on their own and do not need a matching subject:

• Streng genommen ist das keine neue Idee.Strictly speaking, that is not a new idea.
• Verglichen mit dem Vorjahr sind die Kosten deutlich gestiegen.Compared with the previous year, costs have risen considerably.
• Am Ziel angelangt, waren die Wanderer völlig erschöpft.Having reached their destination, the hikers were completely exhausted.

Outside these fixed phrases, participle clauses belong to written and literary German. In conversation, use an ordinary clause with als, während, nachdem or weil.

Common mistakes

• Im Büro angekommen, klingelte das Telefon. The telephone didn't arrive at the office. Say Als ich im Büro ankam, klingelte das Telefon.
• In Berlin angekommen, sie rief ihre Mutter an. The participle clause takes the first position, so the verb comes next: rief sie.
• In Berlin ankommend, rief sie an. Partizip I means while arriving. For a completed action use Partizip II: angekommen.
• Laut lachen verließ er den Raum. Partizip I needs its -d: lachend.
• Using a long participle clause in a text message: it sounds like a novel.