3.2. Adverbial modifier

Participle II in this function is always preceded by a conjunction.

1) Adverbial modifier of time

When there is no change of subject we can use the participle instead of an adverbial clause of time:

• Coming into the room she saw that somebody had broken the window (= when she came... she saw...)

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Verbals

Participle I Perfect is sometimes used in this function in written English — when it is necessary to emphasize that the action expressed by the participle precedes the action expressed by the finite verb:

• Having finished his breakfast, he rushed out of the room.

However, it should be noted that we use the perfect participle mostly when otherwise the sentence would sound ambiguous. The above example, if modified, would contain ambiguity:

• Finishing his breakfast, he rushed out of the room.

So, on the whole, Participle I Indefinite is preferred both when two actions take place at the same time:

• Walking past the shop, he noticed his reflection in the shop window.

and when one action follows the other:

• Leaping out of bed, he dressed very quickly.

Participle I as an adverbial modifier of time can be preceded by the conjunctions when and while:

• She fell while/when skiing downhill.

• You should be very careful when/while dealing with such people.

• She listened attentively while pretending not to.

Participle II as an adverbial modifier of time is introduced by the conjunctions when, while, and once:

• Once roused he would not cool down.

• When analyzed the theory proved to be false.

2) Adverbial modifier of cause

Both Participle I (Indefinite and Perfect) and Participle II can be used in this function:

• He changed his mind, realizing that the whole thing was useless.

Sentences with Participle I as an adverbial modifier of cause belong to formal style:

• Being ill, he could not go to work (As he was ill...).

• Having once heard him lie, she could not believe him any longer.

Participial phrase with Participle I often has causal meaning when it premodifies a noun/pronoun, so that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between the function of an attribute and that of an adverbial modifier of cause:

• Frightened by the thunder, the dog began to howl.

3) Adverbial modifier of comparison

Both Participle I Indefinite and Participle II are introduced by the conjunctions as if, as though:

• She ran to the house as if trying to escape.

• She nodded as if convinced by what he was saying.

4) Adverbial modifier of manner (attendant circumstances)

Participle I can have both functions which sometimes combine:

• She was busy cooking in the kitchen (manner).

• The girl was sitting in the comer weeping bitterly (attendant circumstances).

• He came running to see what was going on (manner).

• She came knocking on the door (manner or attendant

circumstances).

Participle II denoting manner is introduced by as:

• Fill in the application form as instructed.

Note: The verbs come and go are used with the infinitive:

a) to denote purpose:

• She went I came to see the new house.

b) come is used with the infinitive as object to denote a gradual change:

• She came to like the song.

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Come and go are used with Participle I to describe manner or activity:

• She came rushing.

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• He went hunting in the woods.