The official IELTS by IDP app is here! Download it today.

Close

English is a rich and flexible language, offering various grammatical structures to express meaning in different ways. Among these, the participle phrase plays a vital role in enhancing sentence clarity and compactness by adding descriptive details.

This guide will walk you through the definition, structure, types, usage, and important tips for using participle phrases correctly.

1. What is a Participle Phrase?

A participle phrase consists of a participle and its accompanying modifiers such as nouns, noun phrases, or pronouns. It functions as an adjective or adverb in a sentence, often adding information about cause, manner, or condition related to the main action.

Example:

Grown in the Amazon rainforest, una de gato is famous worldwide for its healing properties.

In this example, "Grown in the Amazon rainforest" is a past participle phrase describing the noun una de gato, indicating where and how it has been cultivated.

2. Common Positions of Participle Phrases in a Sentence

Participle phrases can appear in different parts of a sentence, offering flexibility and variety in writing style.

At the Beginning of the Sentence

Used to introduce context or background before the main action.

Examples:

  • Walking down the street, I saw a familiar face.

  • Having finished my homework, I went to the park.

In the Middle of the Sentence

Placed after the subject or main verb to add extra information.

Examples:

  • I ran to the store, hoping to catch the bus.

  • The woman, dressed in a white dress, entered confidently.

At the End of the Sentence

Used to emphasize or add further detail to the action.

Examples:

  • She is a kind person, always willing to help others.

  • The old man sat on the bench, gazing at the sunset.

3. Types of Participle Phrases in English

Present Participle Phrase

Formed using the present participle (verb + ing) and modifiers. It usually indicates active or ongoing actions related to the subject.

Structure: Present participle + object/modifier

Examples:

  • Starting in the new year, the policy bans cars in the city center.

  • Our parents found us walking the dog at midnight.

Past Participle Phrase

Formed using the past participle (verb + ed or irregular form) and modifiers. It typically shows passive voice or completed actions.

Structure: Past participle + object/modifier

Examples:

  • Worried by the news, she called the hospital.

  • Known for his kindness, he often receives compliments.

Perfect Participle Phrase

Formed using "having" or "having been" followed by a past participle. It indicates an action that was completed before the main action in the sentence.

Structure: Having + past participle + object/modifier

Examples:

  • Having graduated in June, she started job hunting.

  • Having been made redundant, she looked for a new opportunity.

4. Functions of Participle Phrases in a Sentence

Modifying a Noun or Pronoun

Describes the condition or action of a noun.

Example: Frightened by the thunder, the dog hid behind the couch.

Replacing a Subordinate Clause

Helps shorten sentences and avoid repetition.

Example: Having finished homework, John went to bed.

Creating Logical Flow in Writing

Enhances coherence and order by listing events or states.

Example: Running quickly, swimming across the river, and climbing over the wall, the inmate escaped.

5. How to Reduce Clauses Using Participle Phrases

To simplify sentences, you can reduce subordinate clauses that share the same subject with the main clause.

Steps to reduce:

  • Identify the subject and verb in both main and subordinate clauses.

  • Change the verb in the subordinate clause into a participle form.

  • Remove the subject from the subordinate clause.

  • Insert the participle phrase in the appropriate position.

Example:

Original: She reads the cookbook. She cooks dinner.

Reduced: Reading the cookbook, she cooks dinner.

6. Important Notes When Using Participle Phrases

Match the Subject Correctly

Ensure the subject of the participle phrase matches the subject of the main clause.

Incorrect: Walking down the street, the car was red.

Correct: Walking down the street, I saw a red car.

Use the Correct Participle Form

Choose between present, past, or perfect participles depending on meaning and tense.

Example:

Having finished my homework, I went to the store. – Correct

Finished my homework, I went to the store. – Incorrect

Avoid Overuse

Too many participle phrases in one sentence can make writing confusing and hard to follow. Use them selectively.

7. Practice Exercises for Participle Phrases

Exercise 1: Rewrite the sentences using participle phrases

  1. He finished his dinner. He sat down to watch TV. → Having finished his dinner, he sat down to watch TV.

  2. Sarah passed the exam. She celebrated with her teammates. → Having passed the exam, Sarah celebrated with her teammates.

  3. Florida was hit hard by the storm. It had thousands of homes destroyed. → Hit hard by the storm, Florida had thousands of homes destroyed.

  4. She baked a cake. She decorated it with cream. → Having baked a cake, she decorated it with cream.

  5. Sofie came home at midnight. She felt scared. → Coming home at midnight, Sofie felt scared.

Exercise 2: Rewrite using participle phrases

  1. Sam left school early because he felt sick. → Feeling sick, Sam left school early.

  2. Because he didn't study, Ryan failed the exam. → Not having studied, Ryan failed the exam.

  3. I haven’t received all applications yet, so I won’t hire anyone. → Not having received all applications, I won’t hire anyone.

  4. The golden ring, which was stolen, was found. → Stolen weeks ago, the golden ring was found.

  5. I have an assignment to finish, so I cannot come. → Having an assignment to finish, I cannot come.

  6. My sister heard good news. She wanted to cry. → Hearing the good news, my sister wanted to cry.

  7. I didn’t want to lose my passport, so I gave it to my father. → Not wanting to lose my passport, I gave it to my father.

  8. John was told to do the dishes. He entered the kitchen with a frown. → Having been told to do the dishes, John entered the kitchen with a frown.

  9. I had been to England before, so I knew where to find a hotel. → Having been to England before, I knew where to find a hotel.

  10. The teacher was impressed by Daniel’s work, so she gave him the highest score. → Impressed by Daniel’s work, the teacher gave him the highest score.

Master Participle Phrases with IDP IELTS

Understanding and mastering participle phrases is essential when preparing for the IELTS exam. Using them correctly helps improve sentence variety, writing cohesion, and overall language proficiency.

To get familiar with exam structure and test types, join a free weekly IELTS mock test with IDP. Whether you choose computer-based or paper-based testing, our practice exams reflect the actual test and are scored by Cambridge Assessment.

Register for your IELTS test with IDP today!

Take IELTS with IDP - Confident and comfortable, achieve your goal!

About this Article

Published on 04 July, 2024

About this Author

One Skill Retake - IELTS Australia
Quynh Khanh

Tôi là Quỳnh Khanh - Content Writer có hơn 5 năm kinh nghiệm về lĩnh vực giáo dục