Participle clauses are used to make language more efficient and concise. They are used to omit unnecessary or implicit information. To form a participle clause we must use a participle, meaning, a present participle (seeing), a past participle (seen) or having + past participle (having seen).
To review irregular participles see this post
We use participle clauses in these contexts:
Instead of a relative clause:
I have a brother living in Japan.
I have a brother who is living in Japan.
I am doing a course teaching me English.
I am doing a course that is teaching me English.
See our post on relative clauses
To give a reason:
Being the smartest person in the class, naturally I got the highest grade.
Because I am the smartest person in the class, naturally I got the highest grade.
Two talk about two simultaneous actions:
Waiting for my coffee, I sent you a Whatsapp message.
While/As I was waiting for my coffee, I sent you a Whatsapp message.
After prepositions:
By revising enough for the exam, you will get an excellent grade.
By revising If you revise enough for the exam, you will get an excellent grade.
We use a past participle when the phrase has a passive meaning as an alternative to the passive:
These shoes, fabricated in Spain, are excellent quality.
These shoes, which were fabricated in Spain, are excellent quality.
