Participle clauses
Having finished… Faced with… — compress clauses for a sophisticated style.
Why it matters
Participle clauses are one of the clearest signs of advanced grammatical range. Used accurately, they reduce wordiness and help you reach Band 7–8 for Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
The rules
Present participle (-ing) for active, simultaneous actions.
Living in a city, I rarely drive.
Past participle for passive meaning.
Built in 1890, the bridge is still in use.
Perfect participle (having + p.p.) for an earlier action.
Having analysed the data, the team published its findings.
The subject of the participle must be the subject of the main clause.
Walking home, I saw an accident. (I was walking)
Model sentences
- Faced with rising costs, many universities have increased tuition fees.
- Having peaked in 2015, sales declined steadily for the rest of the period.
- Introduced in 2010, the scheme has since been adopted by twelve countries.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Walking down the street, the trees were beautiful.
Correct: Walking down the street, I noticed how beautiful the trees were.
Dangling participle — trees don't walk.
Incorrect: Having finish the course, she found a job.
Correct: Having finished the course, she found a job.
Use the past participle after having.
Incorrect: Built the house, they moved in.
Correct: Having built the house, they moved in.
Active meaning needs having + p.p.
Band tip
Check yourself
Rewrite: 'The report was published in May. It caused controversy.'
Published in May, the report caused controversy.
Rewrite: 'After she had saved enough, she bought a flat.'
Having saved enough, she bought a flat.
Fix: 'Looking at the chart, coal is the main source.'
Looking at the chart, we can see that coal is the main source. / The chart shows that…