English Practice exercises: -ing (participle) clauses developed - P4-07W

 

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Upper intermediate English practice exercises –ing (participle) clauses

 

Instructions

 

Combine each of the two sentences below into one. You may sometimes need to put the second one first and change a noun or pronoun, as in the example.

 

Example:

David took a long drink.

David opened the can of lager.

 

Opening the can of lager, David took a long drink.

 

NOTE:  In judging which verb to put in the –ing form, you have two things to consider:

1 Are the two actions happening at the same time, or one after the other?

2. If at the same time, are the two actions of the same importance, or is one more important than the other?

Remember that for two actions happening at the same time and of equal importance, either verb can go in the –ing form. In this case, write OVV (= or vice versa) after your sentence.

 

Now try these:

 

1 The sheriff fired three times.

The sheriff whipped out his gun.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

2 The accountant explained the figures in the balance sheet.

The accountant tapped his pencil on the desk.

…………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

 

3 The duchess walked towards the lift.

The duchess looked about with a scornful air.

…………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

 

4 The blonde woman consulted some papers in her briefcase.

The blonde woman put on her glasses.

……………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

5 The men spread the architect’s drawings on the table.

The men discussed the details of the building project.

…………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

 

6 The cook kept an eye on the meat.

The cook chopped the peppers and onions.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

 

7 Dorothy noticed the dress in a shop window.

Dorothy wondered how much it cost.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

 

8 The doctor listened to my chest with his stethoscope.

The doctor looked at the sore places on my arms.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

 

9 Paul fastened the top button of his shirt.

Paul added a blue silk tie.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

 

10 The seagull alighted on the lake.

The seagull selected a place to touch down.

………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………….