Page 213 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

A f t e r w a i t i n g . . . , b e f o r e l e a v i n g . . . , b e s i d e s
o w n i n g . . . , e t c .

Study the use of the preposition + -ing form in these sentences:
• While understanding her problem, I don't know what I can do to help.
• After spending so much money on the car, I can't afford a holiday.
We often use this pattern to avoid repeating the subject. Compare:
• Since moving to London, we haven't had time to go to the theatre, and
• Since we moved to London, we haven't had time to go to the theatre, (subject repeated)
Words commonly used in this pattern include after, before, besides, by, in, on, since, through,
while, with, without.

We can sometimes use a passive form with being + past participle:
• Before being changed last year, the speed limit was 70 kph.
• He went to hospital after being hit on the head with a bottle.

By, on, in +-ing

• By working hard, she passed her maths exam. = the method or means used
• They only survived by eating roots and berries in the forest.
• On returning from Beijing, he wrote to the Chinese embassy. = when
• John was the first person I saw on leaving hospital.
• In criticising the painting, I knew I would offend her. = as a result of
• In choosing Marco, the party has moved to the left.

We can often use by + -ing or in + -ing with a similar meaning:
• In/By writing the essay about Spanish culture, I understood the country better. ('In
writing...' = the result of writing was to understand...; 'By writing...' = the method I used to
understand the country better was to write...)
However, compare:
• By/In standing on the table, John was able to look out of the window. (= the result of the
chosen method) and
• In standing (not By...) on the table, John banged his head on the ceiling. (= the result; John
did not stand on the table in order to bang his head)
With/without + -ing; what with + -ing
With + -ing often gives a reason for something in the main clause. Notice that a subject has to
come between with and -ing:
• With Louise living in Spain, we don't see her often. (= Because Louise lives in Spain...)
• With sunshine streaming through the window, Hugh found it impossible to sleep.
(= Because sunshine was streaming...)
In informal, mainly spoken, English, we can also use what with + -ing to introduce a reason.
Notice that there doesn't have to be a subject between with and -ing:
• What with Philip snoring all night, and the heavy rain, I didn't sleep a wink.
• What with getting up early and travelling all day, we were exhausted by the evening.
We can use without + ing to say that a second action doesn't happen:
• I went to work without eating breakfast. • They left without paying.
Often, however, it has a similar meaning to 'although' or 'unless':
> • Without setting out to do so, I have offended her. (= Although I didn't set out to do so...)
• Without seeing the pictures, I can't judge how good they are. (= Unless I see the pictures...)
With: reasons => IIIMIJH