Grammar exercises

Forms of Participle I. Absolute Participle Construction.

Participle Forms	Active Voice	Passive Voice
Non – Perfect	Asking	Being asked
Perfect	having asked	Having been asked

Exercise 1.

Compare the following sentences under the letter a) and b), paying attention to the forms and functions of Participle I. Translate them.

a). 1. Ocean water being evaporated by the Sun….; ocean water evaporating into the atmosphere….; 2. Cold air condensing water vapour….; water vapour being condensed in the air; 3. Salts polluting fresh water….; fresh water being polluted by harmful salts…; 4. Heating the Earth’s surface, the Sun…; being heated by the Sun, the Earth…; 5. Having been stored in the lake, water…; being stored in the lake, water…; 6. Having distributed fresh water, we began…; having been distributed, fresh water was given…; 7. Rising into the air, water vapour…; while rising into the air, water vapour…

b). 1. Growing plants need water. 2. Plants growing in the fields must be fertilized. 3. Living in England , he improved his knowledge of English. 4 Having lived in England for five years, he knew English very well. 5. While going home he thought of his friends. 6. Going home he thought of his friends. 7. When opening the window he saw that it was raining. 8. Having opened the window he left the room.

Exercise 2.

Match left and right parts:

1.The Sun heating the surface of the ocean, a). precipitation takes place.

2.The water vapour being cooled , b). the water vapour rises into the air. 3.The total amount of water on our c). man can neither increase nor

planet being constant, decrease it.

4. The amount of fresh water being small, d).we must use fresh water efficiently.

5. The distribution of water on our e). some places get too much water

planet varying greatly, or too little.

Exercise 3.

Pick out Participial Constructions. Comment on their structure. Translate the sentences.

1.She was found lying in the street. 2. The two men were heard descending. 3. A man could be seen advancing from the outskirts towards them. 4. The musicians were heard tuning up. 5. And in the slight pause young Nickolas was heard saying gently that Violet was taking lessons in pastel. 6. The children were seen playing in the garden. 7. She could feel her hands trembling. 8. I looked up and saw him watching my reflection in the looking-glass. 9. She could hear her stepmother breathing heavily. 10. The wounded man had his leg amputated. 11. “You were an unusual child. You liked caviar,” – “I still do.” Said Celia, “though I don’t get it offered to me very often”. 12. If you want things done well, do them yourself.

Exercise 4.

Point out the Nominative Absolute Participial Construction. Define the function it expresses. Translate the sentences.

1.The duty performed he came home. 2. And people would pass the house, going off in wagonettes and coaches, as jolly and merry as could be, the Sun shining out.3. He began the ascent, Basil Hallward following close behind. 4. The carriage stopped, the horse’s head hanging in the rain. 5. We passed a long column of loaded mules, the drivers walking along beside the mules. 6. He stared at her, his smile disappearing. 7. Dorian bowed to him shyly, a flush of pleasure stealing into cheek. 8. We saw three cars looking very small, the dust rising from the wheels. 9. Well, all things considered, she had got through this ordeal very well. 10. I watched him, his brush hovering over the small palette. 11. The stone staircase was typically Norman, each step being built into the wall at one end, leaving a round piece at the other. 12. I ran very lightly, my toes hardly touching the ground.

Exercise 5.

Point out the prepositional Absolute Participial Construction. Translate the sentences.

1. He was slowly walking in the direction of the lake, with his dog following him. 2. She was sitting still, with her arms crossed on the breast. 3. He wore a thick brown sweater and a brown cap, with the peak pulled down low over his eyes. 4. The day was glorious, with a fresh wind blowing from the sea. 5. She looked very fresh and attractive that morning, with her hair beautifully done in a new style. 6. She crept into the room on tiptoes, with her heart beating at twice its usual speed. 7. The girl entered the room, with her eyes fixed on George. 8. The child ran to her father with her arms outstretched. 9. He sat there alone with his head drooping.