Today’s English lesson is about using participle clauses. What is a participle clause? Good question. Watch the video and read the lesson to find out.
This particular lesson looks at -ing participle clauses and how we use them in English.
There are three main ways we can use participle clauses in our sentences. Let’s have a look at them one by one.
After/before + ing
Look at the following sentences to see how we use this structure.
After visiting Paris, I wanted to learn French.
Please clean the pool before going for a swim.
I got to like John after knowing him for a few years.
Before quitting your job, why not talk to your boss.
When, while, since + ing
Here are some more examples of how we can use -ing participle clauses after when, while and since. Look at the example sentences.
When walking around a dangerous city, try not to look like a tourist. You don’t want to get robbed.
He hasn’t been the same since coming back from the war. It must have been a traumatic experience for him.
Jeff got two flat tyres while riding his bike. He can’t believe his bad luck.
My Spanish has got better since moving to Spain. I can now speak to the locals.
On, without, in spite of, instead of + ing
Again, after these words we can use participle clauses.
On hearing the bad news, he started to cry.
The kids went to bed without making a fuss.
Instead of going home, he went to a nightclub. That’s why he looks hungover today.
He went to live in London in spite of/despite speaking little English.
There you go. Some examples of how we use participle clauses in English.
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