Non-finite clauses C1
[C1] We can use clauses with participles in several ways. We call these non-finite clauses because the
verb in the clause does not show when something happened, i.e. there is no tense to indicate a time.
Before we look at how we can use these kinds of clauses, let’s review a few grammatical terms and
functions.
A quick refresher:
• Main clauses are complete clauses that express a complete and meaningful thought and can
stand alone.
• Subordinate clauses do not express a complete and meaningful thought and cannot stand
alone.
• Finite verbs (also called primary verbs) are verbs that show tense (i.e. present or past),
person, and number.
• Finite clauses are clauses that contain a finite verb. A finite clause can be a main clause or
subordinate clause.
• Non-finite clauses are subordinate clauses that include a non-finite verb (or secondary verb),
i.e. one that does not show the tense, person, or number. Instead, the verb in a non-finite
clause is a to-infinitive or a participle (i.e. the -ed or -ing form). The time, and often the
subject, being referred to is made clear in the main clause.
Below, the main clauses are in italics, the subordinate clauses are underlined, and the verbs are in
bold.
They were not allowed outside because there was a curfew.
(main clause = finite clause with finite verb in past tense; subordinate clause = finite clause with finite
verb in past tense)
Seeing no employment prospect, he became self-employed.
(subordinate clause = non-finite clause with non-finite verb in -ing form; main clause = finite clause
with finite verb in past tense)
Using non-finite clauses can help us to make our writing more concise because it means we can avoid
repeating the subject and tense. This is especially common and effective in formal academic or
business contexts. While the non-finite clause can often be placed after the main clause, placing it at
the beginning of a sentence (front position) allows us to focus the reader’s attention on what follows
in the main clause. The non-finite clause in the first part of the sentence then acts like a sign with an
arrow pointing the way to the more essential information, or the main point of the message, in the
main clause. Using structures like this helps readers to immediately understand the intention of the
message and what they should look for in the next part of the sentence.
, Here, we will focus our attention on ways the past and present participle forms are used in front
position.
Past participles
We can use the past participle, or -ed form (compared, taken, paid, seen etc.), in non-finite clauses in
several ways, all generally with a passive meaning:
• To focus on the purpose or message: By starting a sentence with a past participle clause that
adds information or an explanation, we focus the reader’s attention on the purpose or
message of what follows in the main clause. Often, the non-finite verb can be learned as a
‘chunk’ with the preposition that follows it.
Below, the non-finite clauses are underlined and include the non-finite verbs in bold with
the prepositions in italics. Everything that follows the underlined text is the main clause.
Compared to many other European capitals, Amsterdam is a very bike-friendly city.
(non-finite clause starting with past participle chunk ‘compared to’ adds information or an
explanation → focus on purpose in main clause: showing how Amsterdam compares)
Based on the conclusions, I strongly recommend that we take these steps.
(non-finite clause starting with past participle chunk ‘based on’ adds information or an explanation
→ focus on message in main clause)
Given the explanations above, I expect to be compensated for the delay.
(non-finite clause starting with past participle ‘given’ adds information or explanation → focus on
message in main clause)
• To express contrast or create a condition: By using the past participle after the subordinating
conjunctions although, though, unless and if, we can express a contrast or create a condition.
Although we can often place them at different points within the sentence (front, mid, or end
position), the placement influences the message. As stated earlier, we focus on front position
here since the closer the placement is to the front of the sentence, the more we focus the
reader’s attention on what follows in the main clause. We generally avoid placing these
clauses too far from what they modify, which means that we rarely place them in end
position. Also note that the placement influences the use of commas.
o We use although or though to express contrast. Although is more formal and
preferred in formal writing. Though is more common in speaking and informal
writing. We generally don’t place these clauses in end position because it is then
unclear who or what is being referred to.
o We use unless or if to create a condition. These clauses can be placed in end position
if they form an ellipted non-finite clause.
Below, the non-finite clauses are underlined and include the subordinating conjunctions followed by
the past participles in bold with the prepositions in italics. Everything else is the main clause.
[C1] We can use clauses with participles in several ways. We call these non-finite clauses because the
verb in the clause does not show when something happened, i.e. there is no tense to indicate a time.
Before we look at how we can use these kinds of clauses, let’s review a few grammatical terms and
functions.
A quick refresher:
• Main clauses are complete clauses that express a complete and meaningful thought and can
stand alone.
• Subordinate clauses do not express a complete and meaningful thought and cannot stand
alone.
• Finite verbs (also called primary verbs) are verbs that show tense (i.e. present or past),
person, and number.
• Finite clauses are clauses that contain a finite verb. A finite clause can be a main clause or
subordinate clause.
• Non-finite clauses are subordinate clauses that include a non-finite verb (or secondary verb),
i.e. one that does not show the tense, person, or number. Instead, the verb in a non-finite
clause is a to-infinitive or a participle (i.e. the -ed or -ing form). The time, and often the
subject, being referred to is made clear in the main clause.
Below, the main clauses are in italics, the subordinate clauses are underlined, and the verbs are in
bold.
They were not allowed outside because there was a curfew.
(main clause = finite clause with finite verb in past tense; subordinate clause = finite clause with finite
verb in past tense)
Seeing no employment prospect, he became self-employed.
(subordinate clause = non-finite clause with non-finite verb in -ing form; main clause = finite clause
with finite verb in past tense)
Using non-finite clauses can help us to make our writing more concise because it means we can avoid
repeating the subject and tense. This is especially common and effective in formal academic or
business contexts. While the non-finite clause can often be placed after the main clause, placing it at
the beginning of a sentence (front position) allows us to focus the reader’s attention on what follows
in the main clause. The non-finite clause in the first part of the sentence then acts like a sign with an
arrow pointing the way to the more essential information, or the main point of the message, in the
main clause. Using structures like this helps readers to immediately understand the intention of the
message and what they should look for in the next part of the sentence.
, Here, we will focus our attention on ways the past and present participle forms are used in front
position.
Past participles
We can use the past participle, or -ed form (compared, taken, paid, seen etc.), in non-finite clauses in
several ways, all generally with a passive meaning:
• To focus on the purpose or message: By starting a sentence with a past participle clause that
adds information or an explanation, we focus the reader’s attention on the purpose or
message of what follows in the main clause. Often, the non-finite verb can be learned as a
‘chunk’ with the preposition that follows it.
Below, the non-finite clauses are underlined and include the non-finite verbs in bold with
the prepositions in italics. Everything that follows the underlined text is the main clause.
Compared to many other European capitals, Amsterdam is a very bike-friendly city.
(non-finite clause starting with past participle chunk ‘compared to’ adds information or an
explanation → focus on purpose in main clause: showing how Amsterdam compares)
Based on the conclusions, I strongly recommend that we take these steps.
(non-finite clause starting with past participle chunk ‘based on’ adds information or an explanation
→ focus on message in main clause)
Given the explanations above, I expect to be compensated for the delay.
(non-finite clause starting with past participle ‘given’ adds information or explanation → focus on
message in main clause)
• To express contrast or create a condition: By using the past participle after the subordinating
conjunctions although, though, unless and if, we can express a contrast or create a condition.
Although we can often place them at different points within the sentence (front, mid, or end
position), the placement influences the message. As stated earlier, we focus on front position
here since the closer the placement is to the front of the sentence, the more we focus the
reader’s attention on what follows in the main clause. We generally avoid placing these
clauses too far from what they modify, which means that we rarely place them in end
position. Also note that the placement influences the use of commas.
o We use although or though to express contrast. Although is more formal and
preferred in formal writing. Though is more common in speaking and informal
writing. We generally don’t place these clauses in end position because it is then
unclear who or what is being referred to.
o We use unless or if to create a condition. These clauses can be placed in end position
if they form an ellipted non-finite clause.
Below, the non-finite clauses are underlined and include the subordinating conjunctions followed by
the past participles in bold with the prepositions in italics. Everything else is the main clause.
