Present Participle Phrase
a. This is used in an active sense, that is the action in the participle phrase is one which the subject actively performs
Example:
Realizing that there was no hope to save his business, he gave up.
In the above sentence, the action "realizing" in the participle phrase (underlined) is actively performed by the subject "he".
b. The action in the present participle phrase is immediately followed by another by the same subject.
Example:
Seeing such a terrible scene, she fainted.
In the above sentence, the action "seeing" is immediately followed by the action "fainted", both of which are actively performed by the same subject "she".
Past Participle Phrase
This is used in a passive sense: the action is done to the subject described by the phrase.
Example:
Exhausted by the morning's work, I got myself a cup of coffee and sat down.
Perfect Participle Phrase
a. used in the active form with "Having" + a Past Participle. It shows that the action takes place before the action described in the main clause.
Example:
Having brushed my teeth, I went to bed.
In the above sentence, the action "brushed" takes place before the action "went'.
b. used in the passive form with "Having been" + a Past Participle. It shows that the action is done to the subject, not by the subject.
Example: Having been trained for 2 years, he has become very skilful in the trade.
Placing the Subject at the Beginning of the Participle Clause
It is possible to have a different subject from the subject of the main clause. In this case, place the subject at the beginning of the participle clause:
a) Subject + Present Participle
The chairman being absent, the secretary chaired the meeting.
Her eyes glistening with tears, she stood up and turned away from the people.
Cats are long-lived creatures, some having a life-expectancy of around twenty years.
b) Subject + Having + Past Participle
All the guests having arrived, the host started the party.
The principal having finished his speech, all parents and students applauded.
c) Subject + Having + been + Past Participle
The subject having been raised, he had no choice but to discuss it.
The deal having been closed, we threw a party to celebrate it.
Participles used as Adjectives
Participles can be used like adjectives, as in the following examples:
Present Participle:
No one was aware of the crying baby.
He had an increasing desire get rich.
Past Participle:
She left the city with a broken heart.
The place looked abandoned.
Adjective(s) + Main Clause
Sometimes, a phrase containing one or more adjectives can function like a participle phrase.
Examples:
Aware of my inadequacy, I tried to work very hard.
Surprised at my reaction, she tried to console me.
Scared and pale, he answered very slowly.
In a similar way, the phrase can also be written with a noun group, followed by an adjective, an adjunct, to describe something which is connected with the subject of a sentence.
Examples:
"What do you mean by that?" Mary said, her face pale.
She stood very erect, her body absolutely stiff.
2007-11-07 22:21:59 補充:
http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/phrfunc.html