Last week's posting defined the present participle, discussed the present participle's function in a sentence, and pointed out one common mistake in usage - placing present participle or participial phrase so that it modifies the wrong word in the sentence. The other common mistake in the use of participial phrases involves time order.
When a present participial phrase is used in a sentence, the writer indicates that the action in the participial phrase is occurring at the same time as the action in the main clause of the sentence. A writer must understand this time implication in order to use present participial phrases correctly.
Incorrect:
Walking into the room, he helped himself to a large plate of food from the buffet. [He has to walk into the room before he can help himself to a plate of food.]
Zipping herself into her sleeping bag, she snored all night long. [She has to zip herself in before she falls asleep and snores.]
Correct:
Smiling broadly, Georgia shook hands with the President. [The smiling and shaking hands are occurring at the same time.]
Shouting at the top of his lungs, Ralph raced after the pickpocket. [Although Ralph could shout before he races after the pickpocket, the use of the present participial phrase informs the reader that he is shouting while he is racing after the pickpocket.]
In Brief: Do not use a present participial phrase unless the action in the phrase is happening at the same time as the action in the main clause.
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