English Practice exercises present and past participle clauses: P5-08W
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Advanced English grammar practice exercise: present and past participle clauses
The explanation file for these exercises is E5-08W
Exercise 1: Underline the correct participle – past or present – in these sentences:
1. Caught / catching in the traffic, Sarah knew she was going to be late for work.
2. Caught / catching the ball, the dog ran off to chew it quietly under a tree.
3. Made / making soup, Robert accidentally burnt his hand.
4. Made / making in Japan, the car was on sale at a very competitive price.
5. Explaining / explained in detail, the instructions seemed very complicated.
6. Explaining / explained the working of the new machinery, David kept consulting his notes.
7. Writing / written the letter, she couldn’t help crying a little.
8. Drinking / drunk in moderation, this whisky will not do you any harm.
9. Finishing / finished in metallic gold, the car certainly looked as if it was worth a lot of money.
10. Looked / looking for his number in the phone book, Susie was getting more and more nervous.
11. Looked at / looking at by millions every year, the ‘Mona Lisa’ is the most famous painting in the world.
12. Played / playing in a good location, a street musician can make a lot of money.
Exercise Combine each of these pairs of sentences into one sentence. Use a participle clause if it is possible.
1. Jenny phoned me. I was in the bath.
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2. Jenny phoned me. She sounded very upset.
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3. The students talked and laughed. They waited for the train.
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4. The students talked and laughed. An old lady told them not to make so much noise.
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Someone invented the mobile phone in 1973. It has now become part of everyday life.
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5. They make the best watches in Switzerland. My uncle had one which kept wonderful time.
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6. My mother drove to the supermarket yesterday. She got a flat tyre.
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7. Our car was bought from a second-hand car dealer. It’s always going wrong.
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8. My granny is quite old now. My mum usually takes her to the supermarket.
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9. My granny was born in South Africa. She lived most of her life in Scotland.
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10. My granny is quite old now. She can’t see properly without her glasses.
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11. Our car was bought from a second hand dealer. He’s called Derek and he drives a pink Cadillac.
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12. Celia got into the car. She tore her stocking.
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13. My watch was made in Switzerland. It has lasted my entire life.
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14. Celia got into the car. It was a red Alfa Romeo.
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