Mastering Simple Sentences: Using Participles

Participles (Verb + ing).

When one person does two actions, one immediately after the other, you can change the first action into a Present Participle.

Formula:
Verb(1st form) + ing + Object, Subject + 2nd Action.

Examples from Class Notes

Here are the examples we practiced in our notebook:

Original: I saw an elephant and started to run.

➜ Seeing an elephant, I started to run.

Original: I got the key and went upstairs.

➜ Getting the key, I went upstairs.

Original: I saw the snake and became afraid.

➜ Seeing the snake, I became afraid.

Original: The boy saw a snake and shouted.

➜ Seeing a snake, the boy shouted.

Try to transform these sentences yourself before looking at the answers!

Compound: He opened the drawer and took out a gun.
Simple: Opening the drawer, he took out a gun.
Compound: She heard the noise and woke up.
Simple: Hearing the noise, she woke up.
Compound: The hunter took his gun and went out to shoot.
Simple: Taking his gun, the hunter went out to shoot.
Compound: I felt hungry and went to the kitchen.
Simple: Feeling hungry, I went to the kitchen.
Compound: He finished his work and went home.
Simple: Finishing his work, he went home.

Teacher's Tip: Remember, the subject (the person doing the action) must be the same for both parts of the sentence!