17. Participles in the Functions of Adverbial Modifier.

PI

PII

the meaning of AM is often context dependent and in most cases PII is preceded by a conjunction of specific semantic type

17.1. A.M. of time: names an event that marks the time period of the main action

For simultaneous (Non-Perf. Act. PI) or prior (perfect or passive PI) action. Walking along the park alley, she was deep in reminiscences. Being left alone, we kept silent for some time. Having said that, I feel I need to say everything else.

Note: The idea of simultaneity is more explicit with conjunctions when/while: While saying this, he felt horrible.

After conjunctions when/until:

He is rather friendly, when spoken to, but naturally reserved. Until interrupted, he can talk for hours.

17.2. A.M. of reason: names an event which serves the cause of the action of the finite predicate

All four forms of PI are used. Verbs of cognition and emotions are most frequently used in the form of PI:

One day at Oxford, wanting to show off to Anthony, I introduced him to Jane. Having married very late, my father was only a year short of fifty when I was born.

Note: PI often combines with negation: Not knowing what to say, he just stared blank at Don.

Deprived of his wife and son by the Spanish adventure, Jolyon found the solitude at Robin Hill intolerable.

17.3. AM of attendant circumstances: names an event parallel, or simultaneous to the action of the predicate

Non-Perf. PI: He wandered helplessly around the flat trying to decide whether he should sell it.

Note: As PII highlights mostly the meaning of result of some action, it is usually not used to denote a parallel, simultaneous event happening at the time of the main event.

17.4. AM of manner: describes how the action of the predicate is fulfilled

Non-Perfect PI: He had spent all afternoon trying to get a complete list of persons who had been seen around.

He will spend the entire weekend buried in the library.

17.5. AM of comparison: characterizes the main action by comparing it to another event

After the conjunctions as if/as though

Romey relaxed again and closed his eyes as if trying desperately to take a nap. She looked at him attentively, as though wishing to make out the cause of

his confusion.

He looked at her as if surprised by the question. "Well, then," Johnson said, looking away as though embarrassed.

17.6. AM of concession: expresses an event contrasting to the action of the predicate

With the supporting context

as well as after the conjunctions though/although

“Are we going hunting?” I asked, knowing full well that I would not get an answer.

This place still retains its ancient Oriental character, though stamped

with the traces of decline.

17.7. AM of condition: expresses an action that serves as the condition for the action of the predicate

In the syntactical surroundings of either Subjunctive Mood or Future Tense forms:

She ought to be there and her absence might be resented, but being there she wouldn’t know what to say (=if she were there).

Mostly after the conjunctions if/unless:

Margaret was a small woman who tried too hard and who said nothing unless spoken to. His situation, if taken seriously, was too appalling to face.

17.8. AM of subsequent events:

expresses an event posterior to the action of the predicate

She slept soundly at night waking up at dawn fresh and completely rested (= and woke up…).

As the grammatical meaning of PII often renders the idea of complete (fulfilled) action or its result, it is not used in this function