Fill in the blanks with a present or past participle.
1. The workers had a long talk with the manager, ………………………… why they didn’t want to work on Saturdays.
Here ‘the workers’ is the subject of explaining. The adverbial participle clause is possible when it has the same subject as the main clause.
2. ……………………………. out of the window, I could see a lovely range of mountains.
Here also both clauses have the same subject.
3. She had a ………………………….. expression on her face.
A concerned expression is a worried expression. The past participle is used to say how people feel.
4. His explanation made me more ……………………………….
The past participle is used to say how people feel.
5. He is an ……………………………. writer.
The present participle is used to describe the people or things that cause the feelings. Here the writer is the person who creates the feeling of interest.
6. The children get terribly ………………………….whenever we have guests.
The past participle is used to say how people feel.
7. It was an ……………………………. prospect.
The present participle is used to describe the people or things that cause the feelings.
8. I couldn’t enjoy the party because I was ……………………………..
The past participle is used to say how people feel.
9. He lived alone, ……………………………. by everybody.
He had been forgotten by everybody. The past participle has a passive meaning when it is used like an adjective or adverb.
10. She ran out of the room …………………………..
She was screaming. The present participle has an active meaning when it is used like an adjective or adverb.
11. He is still nursing a …………………………….. heart.
A broken heart is a heart that has been broken.
12. The people ………………………………. gave very different opinions.
The people questioned are people who have been questioned. The past participle has a passive meaning.
Answers
1. The workers had a long talk with the manager, explaining why they didn’t want to work on Saturdays.
2. Looking out of the window, I could see a lovely range of mountains.
3. She had a concerned expression on her face.
4. His explanation made me more confused.
5. He is an interesting writer.
6. The children get terribly excited whenever we have guests.
7. It was an exciting prospect.
8. I couldn’t enjoy the party because I was worried.
9. He lived alone, forgotten by everybody.
10. She ran out of the room screaming.
11. He is still nursing a broken heart.
12. The people questioned gave very different opinions.
