| Use |
Example |
To follow prepositions and conjunctions
(present and perfect participles) |
By appearing in that cigarette advert, he damaged his acting career.
After playing / having played video games all morning, I was really
tired. |
To explain the reason for something
(present and perfect participles) |
Being quite good looking, Ralph decided to make a career as a model.
Having seen the film before, I knew what was going to happen. |
To talk about actions happening at the same time
(present participles) |
Waiting for the show to begin, I felt really nervous.
(present participles) |
To replace some relative clauses
(present and past participles) |
Imagine being the person directing a big budget film! (= Imagine being the person who is directing a big bud get film!)
The person chosen for the part will be contacted by phone. (= The
person who is chosen for the part will be contacted by phone.) |
To talk about past actions happening in sequence
(perfect participles) |
Having finished my homework, I decided to go to the cinema. |
As an alternative passive form
(past participles) |
Made to wait, the actor began to get very annoyed |
