Participial Tips Review

By: Sean Savoie 

            Now that you have a better understanding of participial phrases, take a more careful look at some common mistakes writers (and speakers) make when using them. Participial phrases act a bit like adjectives usually describing the subject of a sentence, but they can also have an adverbial function. Take a look at the example below: 

Drinking a cup of coffee at six o'clock, Julie had trouble sleeping that night. 

            Does this sentence mean that while Julie was drinking her coffee at six o'clock she had trouble sleeping? Or does it mean that because she drank a cup of coffee at six o'clock. She had trouble sleeping that night? 

Having read a recent article about state law, Bill called his lawyer to ask a few questions. 

            This technique is effective in making the sequence of events very clear. Simply use the word having and the past participal of the verb to indicate the first action. Notice how the sentences below are quite different in meaning. Ask yourself if Jill lives in NYC now: 

1.  Being in NYC for nearly four years, Jill understands the subway system very well.

2.  Having been in NYC for nearly four years, Jill understands the subway system very well. 

            Sentence 1 implies that Jill lives in NYC now, whereas sentence 2 implies that she now lives in a different place but still remembers the subway system. Notice how the following verbs change: 

Changing the tire ……… Having changed the tire

Seeing the picture ………Having seen the picture

Living in Asia …………. Having lived in Asia

Preparing for the test ….. Having prepared for the test

Being on time………….. Having been on time

etc… 

            We will see some obvious examples of when this technique is useful and necessary when we practice revising whole paragraphs in a future lesson. For now, however, it is important to take a look at a very common grammar mistake, which, although somewhat acceptable in spoken English, is completely incorrect in written English. This is a type of misplaced modifier that is basically a participial phrase describing the wrong noun in the sentence. Take a look at the examples below: 

1. Arriving late for class, my teacher told me to make sure that I was on time.
2. Getting off my bike, my sunglasses fell on the street and broke.
3. Having paid $50 for a ticket, the concert disappointed me.
4. Entering the house after work, the phone immediately rang.

All of these sentences are incorrect because the participial phrases tell you about the subject of the main clause. In sentence 1, the meaning is that the teacher was late. In sentence 2, the sunglasses got off the bike. In 3, the concert paid $50. In 4, the phone entered the house. These, needless to say, are all ridiculous, which is why, in spoken English it is more acceptable because the listener understands the intended meaning and ignores the grammar mistake. This is exactly why test-makers love to put these grammar mistakes on English tests. Be sure to master this common mistake in order to prepare for tests as well as speak with utmost clarity.

There are two ways to easily correct the error. One involves creating a new type of dependent clause called an absolute phrase, which we will study more carefully in a later lesson. First, seeing as we are practicing participial phrases, we should first try to solve the problem by changing the subject of the main clause to match the participial phrase. If the main verb is a transitive verb (vt.), as in examples 1 and 3 above (with a direct object in the main clause), using the passive voice is usually the simplest solution: 

1. Arriving late for class, I was told by my teacher to make sure that I was on time.

3. Having paid $50 for a ticket, I was disappointed in the concert.

However, if the verb is intransitive (vi.), as in sentences 2 and 4, you will most often need to choose a new verb to make your sentence perfectly clear.           

2. Getting off my bike, I dropped and broke my sunglasses on the street.

4. Entering the house after work, I immediately heard the phone ring.

For very useful practice of basic sentences, attempt to correct the mistakes below by changing the main clause so that the subject is correctly modified by the participial phrase. Though some of the sentences may look all right, they are not.  

Practice:

1.      Having so much homework to do, my day was extremely tiring.

2.      Playing tennis all day, her legs were so sore.

3.      Having been sick for a whole week, my mother made a doctor’s appointment for me.

4.      Not receiving the grade he wanted, his test was torn into pieces.

5.      Completely misunderstanding the directions, the hotel was impossible to find.

6.      Having eaten lots of chocolate, her pants soon did not fit.

7.      Being way too sweet, I threw the candy away.

8.      Remembering the formula, the whole problem became clear to me.

9.      Waiting too long for a lower price, the product was sold out.

10.   Handing me the essay, I saw my grade and smiled.