Participle clauses are used to shorten sentences in order to say something more economically.
For example:
BASIC: Jim walked past the old school. He got to the shop.
PARTICLE CLAUSE: Walking past the old school, Jim got to the shop.
With regards to the IELTS test, participle clauses are very important as they help you demonstrate a range of grammar and are often considered more formal.
There are three common types of participle clause:
| Present participle (the +ing form) | Walking past the old school, Jim got to the shop. |
| Past participle (third form of the verb) | Founded in 1912, the club has a long history. |
| Perfect participle (having + third form) | Having finished their homework, the boys went out to play. |
The past participle clause is used in a passive form.