Page 177 - Basic English Usage

179 237

The subject of a participle clause is usually the same as the subject of
the rest of the sentence.
Hoping to surprise her, lopened the door very quietly.
(If hoped to surprise her; | opened the door.)
Wanting some excitement, Mary became a pilot.
(Mary wanted excitement; Mary became a pilot.)
We do not usually make sentences where the subjects are different. For
example, we would probably not say:
Looking out of the window, the mountains were beautiful.
(This sounds as if the mountains were looking out of the window.)

Sometimes a participle clause has its own subject.
A little girl walked past, her hair blowing in the wind.
We often use with to introduce clauses like this.
A car drove past with smoke pouring out of the back.
With ali the family travelling in America, the house seems very empty.

We can use Conjunctions and prepositions to introduce participle
clauses.
After talking to you | always feel better.
Before driving off, always check your mirror.
When telephoning London from abroad, dial 1 before the number.
On being introduced to someboay, a British person may shake
hands.
| got there by taking a new route through Worcester.

For -ing clauses after | see, hear + object | (for example / saw her crossing the
road), see 182.6.

237 passive structures: introduction

They built in 1486. (active)
This house | was built in 1486. (passive)
Channel Islanders speak and English. (active)
French | is spoken in France, Belgium, Switzerland, the Channel
islands, .. . (passive)
A friend of ours is repairing . (active)
is being repaired by a friend of ours. (passive)

This book will change
Your life | will be changed by this book.