PARTICIPLE PHRASES
149. The present and the past participles are each single words; but we may also have participle phrases; that is, two or more words used as a participle, as for example:
- His having joined the strikers caused him to lose his job.
- The man, having been discharged, left the mill.
In these sentences we have the participle phrases, having joined and having been discharged. Having joined is a participle phrase used as a noun, the subject of the verb caused. Having been discharged is a participle phrase used as an adjective to modify the noun man. Notice that having joined is an active participle describing the action performed by the man who is referred to by the pronoun his. Having been discharged is a passive participle expressing an action of which the subject of the sentence, man, is the receiver.
These are both perfect participles, expressing actions which are complete at the present time.
150. We have also progressive participles expressing action which is continuing or progressing. These progressive participles are also used in both the active and the passive forms. The progressive active participle is formed by using having been with the present participle, as having been working. The progressive passive participle is formed by using being with the past participle, as for example, being watched, being driven, being gone, etc. So we have six participles, three active and three passive.
Note the following table:
| Active | Passive | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Present. | Sending. | Past. | Sent. |
| Perfect. | Having sent. | Perfect. | Having been sent. |
| Progressive. | Having been sending. | Progressive. | Being sent. |
These participle phrases may be used either as nouns or as adjectives.
Exercise 1
In the following sentences mark the participles and the participle phrases. Underscore those used as nouns with a single line; those used as adjectives with two lines.
- He denies having been hired by the employer.
- Our friends, having arrived, joined us at dinner.
- The rain, falling incessantly, kept us from going.
- Having often seen him passing, I judged he lived near.
- The man, being discouraged and ill, was unable to do his work well.
- Happiness shared is happiness doubled.
- Having finished his work, he rests at last.
- The army, beaten but not vanquished, waited for the morrow.
- The men, having been unemployed for months, were desperate.
- Being prepared will not save us from war.
- "Rest is not quitting this busy career;
- Rest is the fitting of self to its sphere.
- It's loving and serving the highest and best;
- It's onward, not swerving; and that is true rest."