2015-08-21
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Present participles can be used after the time conjunctions after before since when and while They cannot be used after the conjunctions as, as soon as directly, until, etc Since I phoned you this morning I have changed my plans Since phoning you this morning I have changed my plans We cannot use this construction when since = because [> 1.48]
On and m can be used to mean 'when' and 'while' On finding the front door open I became suspicious (i e When/At the moment when I found) In/While trying to open the can I cut my hand (i e During the time when I was trying)
Present participle constructions in place of clauses of reason
As I was anxious to please him I bought him a nice present Being anxious to please him I bought him a nice present
Present participle constructions in place of conditionals
The present participle can be used after if and unless If you are travelling north you must change at Leeds If travelling north you must change at Leeds Unless you pay by credit card please pay in cash Unless paying by credit card please pay in cash
Present participles in place of clauses of concession
The present participle can be used after the conjunctions although even though though and while
While he admitted that he had received the stolen jewellery he
denied having taken part in the robbery
While admitting that he had received the stolen jewellery he denied
having taken part in the robbery
Present participle constructions in place of relative clauses
The present participle can be used in place of defining [> 1.26] clauses in the simple present or present progressive after relative pronouns The train which is arriving at Platform 8 is the 17 50 from Crewe The train arriving at Platform 8 is the 17 50 from Crewe
1 The sentence
