Hello,

I have a question about how to shortening sentences. I have a book which show some way. I made some examples on my own but my native (English) friends say they are wrong though they can’t explain why.

All the difference I see is that in the first cases the subject is not a person.

1. (present active):
1.1 active:
1.1.1. (Same subjects): Hearing voices, I stopped.
(As I heard voices I stopped.)
1.1.2. (different subjects): The day being wet, he took his umbrella with him.
(As the day was wet he took his umbrella with him.)
What is the problem with this sentence: The children hearing voices, we (all) stopped.
1.2. (present passive)
1.2.1 (Same subjects): Being praised by the teacher, the pupils were very happy.
(The pupils were very happy as the teacher praised them./ The pupils were very happy as they were praised by the teacher.)
1.2.2. (different subjects): The dinner being served at 8, we had time to go for a walk.
(We had time to go for a walk as the dinner was being served at 8,)
What is the problem with this sentence: The children being praised (by the teacher), we were very happy.
2. (perfect participle)
2.1. active:
2.1.1 (Same subjects): Having finished my work, I went to bed. (After I had finished my work I went to bed).
2.1.2. (different subjects): The last tram having gone, I had to walk. (As the last tram had gone I had to walk.)
What is the problem with this sentence: The children having finished their homework, we sent them to bed.
2.2. passive:
2.2.1. (Same subjects): Having been found guilty, he was sentenced to death. (As he had been found guilty he was sentenced to death).
2.2.2.: (different subjects): The lift having been repaired, I didn’t have to walk up the stairs.
(As the lift had been repaired I didn’t have to walk up the stairs.)
What is the problem with this sentence: The children having been found suspicious, we tried to control them.

Thanks in advance

András

Hi András,

I will try and explain the problem with the 4 sentences you have highlighted:

1. The children hearing voices, we (all) stopped.

Here, you have 2 subjects; (1) the children and (2) we. The sentence in full should be “When the children heard voices they all stopped.” To make it shorter and more dramatic you can express it like this: The children, hearing voices, all stopped. (only 1 subject)

2. The children being praised (by the teacher), we were very happy.

Here you have 2 subjects again; (1) the children and (2) we. So it should be: The children, (after) being praised, were very happy. (passive sentence)

3. The children having finished their homework, we sent them to bed.

It should be: The children, having finished their homework, were sent to bed. (passive sentence)

Sentences 2 and 3 are both passive and the person who is praising the children (sentence 1) or sending them to bed (2) is not mentioned.

4. The children having been found suspicious, we tried to control them.

This sentence does not make much sense because you cannot say “the children were found suspicious”. You need to say “the children were found doing something suspicious”.

You could change “suspicious” for “acting suspiciously” or “guilty” and say “After finding the children acting suspiciously/guilty, we tried to control them.”

I hope this answers your questions!

Jenny

Thanks for your answer! Now it’s a little bit clearer:-))