2. Predicative

Participle II denotes the state of the subject and is a part of a compound nominal predicate.

He tried to enter, but the door was locked and nobody answered his knock.

In this function participles are seldom followed by the preposition by; other prepositions are preferable:

We are excited about the trip. We are surprised at your unexpected departure. The ground was covered with snow. These facts are already known to the police.

Participles can be homonymous to adjectives and only the context allows us to distinguish between them. Thus the words done, finished, gone are treated as adjectives if used predicatively:

I’ll be done in a moment and we’ll go together.

I wonder when you’ll be finished with this task.

They have been gone for an hour and I don’t know when they are going to be back.

3. Adverbial modifier

When used as an adverbial modifier Participle II is, as a rule, preceded by a conjunction.

а) In the syntactic function of the adverbial modifier of time it is used with the conjunction when or while, until and others:

When pronounced the words sounded harsh and hurting.

Don’t say anything until asked.

b) In the syntactic function of the adverbial modifier of condition it is usually used with the conjunction if; in some cases the conjunction may be omitted:

If discovered, this information will upset their plans.

Considered from this point of view, her behaviour won’t seem so strange.

с) In the syntactic function of the adverbial modifier of comparison it is used with the conjunction as if or as though:

As if persuaded, she was suddenly silent.

d) In the syntactic function of the adverbial modifier of concession it is used with the conjunction though:

Though carefully avoided, this subject came out in their conversation again and again.

е) In the syntactic function of the adverbial modifier of manner it is used with the conjunction as:

Take the medicine as prescribed.

f) In the syntactic function of the adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances no conjunction is used, but the participle or the participle phrase is usually separated by a comma:

They reluctantly entered the building, observed by the excited onlookers.

g) In the syntactic function of the adverbial modifier of cause no conjunction is used;

Left alone on an uninhabited island the pirate had nobody to count on.

Besides, Participle II can be used in predicative constructions as а part of а complex object, complex subject and in other syntactic functions.

We can have the photos developed here.

They were considered involved in this business.

The article published, the scandal was inevitable.

Parтiciple I and тhe gerund

1. Unlike the Gerund, Participle I cannot be used as а subject or an object.

2. In the syntactic function of а predicative there is some difference in meaning between the Gerund and the Participle.

PARTICIPLE	GERUND
She looks so happy, so enjoying herself.	Your aim is enjoying yourself.

The Gerund reveals the nature or the character of the subject, while the Participle denotes а state of the subject.

3. In the syntactic function of an attribute the Gerund is always preceded by а preposition if the Gerund is in post-position to the modified word.

PARTICIPLE	GERUND
The kids playing in the garden and making so much noise distracted her from writing	She had а way of making you tell things you never thought you’d share with another human being

4. In compound nouns such as living room, writing table etc. the gerund is used in pre-position and is not preceded by а preposition. In such cases the gerund denotes the function or the purpose of the object denoted by the noun it modifies, while the participle denotes а state or an action of the object denoted by the noun it modifies.

PARTICIPLE	GERUND
Working people seldom drop in here. She walked among the dancing people without noticing them.	The working conditions here leave much to be desired. Then she started to take dancing lessons.

5. In the syntactic function of an adverbial modifier the Gerund is always preceded by а preposition.

PARTICIPLE	GERUND
She drove one more block, still searching for house numbers.	You help me most by staying with your mother. But she managed one more piece of advice before hanging up.

6. The verb ‘have’ can be followed both by a participle construction and a gerundial complex. The sentence with a gerundial complex means that the person denoted by the subject won’t allow something to happen: