Dear Rachel ,

I have been asked about the meaning of ( participle clauses ) but I have never read
this expression in any grammar book before.
Is it grammatically correct?
If so , what does it mean?
Would you please explain it with examples?
Waiting for your kind reply.
Thank you very much.

Sayed

Here is an explanation* of participle clauses:

Use of Participle Clauses

If a clause is shortened using a participle construction, the clause is called participle clause.
Example: Watching TV she forgot everything around her.

In English, participle clauses are mainly used in writing in order to put a lot of information into one sentence.

When shortening or combining clauses with a participle construction, keep the following rules in mind:

"¢ Both clauses should have the same subject.
"¢ The less important part becomes the participle clause. Important information should always be in the main clause.
"¢ Make sure, you use the correct participle form (see above).
"¢ The conjunctions as, because, since and relative pronouns who, which are left out.
"¢ The conjunctions before, when are used in the participle clause.
[I think this should say "can be used," not "are used." – rachel]

"¢ The conjunctions after, while can be used or left out.

Participle Clauses with different Subjects

Sometimes participle clauses can be used even if the clauses to be combined do not have the same subject. This is the case for example if the main clause contains one of the following verbs + object:

feel, find, hear, listen to, notice, see, smell, watch
Example: I heard him playing the guitar.

Here, the participle clause must directly follow the object it is relating to. (Note: Some of the verbs mentioned here can also be used with the infinitive. For further information see Infinitive or Ing-Form)

A participle construction is also possible, if both subjects are mentioned (often the word 'with' is put before the subject in the participle clause). This is very formal, however, and not often used.
Example:Mrs Jones went to New York. Mr Smith took up her position.
→ (With) Mrs Jones going to New York, Mr Smith took up her position.
_______

Some people call these reduced adverb clauses or reduced adjective clauses, or adverb phrases or adjective phrases.

Rachel
_______
*http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/participles

Dear Rachel ,

Thank you very much for your kind help.
But would you please :

1- Give me short explanation for the meaning of
( Participle clauses ?

2- As for the following sentence :

- Watching TV she forgot everything around her.

* Would you please tell me :

a) What is the participle clause in this
sentence ?

b) What is the subject of the clause?

c) What is the clause ?

Waiting for your kind reply.
Thank you very much .

Sayed

quote:

people call these reduced adverb clauses or reduced adjective clauses,

Would you give each an example for reduced adverb clause and reduced adjective clause?

Thank you

quote:

If a clause is shortened using a participle construction, the clause is called participle clause.
Example: Watching TV she forgot everything around her.

Here's another explanation of a participial phrase:

The participial phrase is the predicate part of a sentence beginning with the verb in reduced -ing or -ed form.

In other words, the participial phrase is a reduced clause. I think this is what you mean.

In the sentence "Watching TV, she forgot everything around her":

The participle clause / phrase is "watching TV":

It modifies "she," the subject of the sentence. The phrase itself doesn't have a subject.

The reduced clause is a phrase, a participial phrase.

Rachel

quote:

people call these reduced adverb clauses or reduced adjective clauses,

Adjective clause: The man who is talking to John is from Korea.

Adjective phrase: The man talking to John is from Korea.

Adjective clause: The ideas which are presented in this book are good.

Adjective phrase: The ideas presented in this book are good.

Adjective clause: Ann is the woman who is responsible tor the error.

Adjective phrase: Ann is the woman responsible for the error.

Adjective clause: The books that are on that shelf are mine.

Adjective phrase: The books on that shelf are mine.

and more...

Adverb clause: Since Maria came to this country, she has made many friends.

Adverb phrase: Since coming to this country, Maria has made many friends.

Adverb clause: After he (had) finished his homework, Peter went to bed.

Phrase: After finishing his homework, Peter went to bed.

Phrase: After having finished his homework, Peter went to bed.

Phrase: Peter went to bed after finishing his homework.

Adverb clause: Because she needed some money to buy a book, Sue cashed a check.

Phrase: Needing some money to buy a book, Sue cashed a check.

and more...
_______

All the examples above are from Understanding and Using English Grammar, Third Edition, by Betty Azar. They are from charts in Chapters 13 and 18.

Sometimes there is a difference in naming the kinds of clauses among grammarians. Azar calls the phrases that come from adverb clauses "modifying clauses."

Rachel