grammar question

Question

In cause and effect sentences, the cause clause beginning with "because, since, as" can be reduced to present participle phrases.

As had become completely deaf, Beethoven was forced to compose music "in his head". Having become completely deaf, Beethoven was forced to compose music "in his head".

My question is, can cause clauses beginning with other words than "because..." be reduced to participle phrases? thanks a lot.

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer

As a result of becoming ....

Chariot · Answer

Thanks. Is it possible that a particle phrase of cause is a past participle instead of a present participle?

CalifJim · Answer

Almost any kind of adjective, including present and past participles, can be used in this function.

Joyful at the news, Susan leapt up and began to applaud.
Excited by the news, Susan leapt up and began to applaud.
Having read the news, Susan leapt up and began to applaud.

In each case Susan did what she did because she [was joyful about / excited about / had read] the news.

Is this what you meant?

CJ

Chariot · Answer

Thanks. Some of participle phrases do not express cause. I learnt that they meant actions accompanying the action expressed in the main clause. They emphase the sense of "same time" of the two actions. Is that correct?

Anonymous · Answer

Dear Chariot,

The answer to your question is yes. However, we often keep the adverb clause marker (the subordinating conjunction) when we reduce.

Examples:

After I talked to the teacher, I went home.
After talking to the teacher, I went home.

Before I did my homework, I watched the hockey game.
Before doing my homework, I watched the hockey game.

While I was doing my homework, I heard a knock at the door.
*While doing my homework, I heard a knock at the door.

When you spend a lot of time in the sun, you should wear sunscreen.
When spending a lot of time in the sun, you should wear sunscreen.

* Sometimes you can drop 'while' and just use the participle. You need to be careful though: it may not be clear whether your intended meaning is 'because' or 'while.'

Example:

Walking down the street, I found a $10 bill. (while)
Needing some cash, I stopped at a bank machine. (because) (I remember this example from another website!)
Studying late into the night, I fell asleep at my desk. (while or because?!)

When this happens, you have at least two choices to consider:
1. Don't reduce.
2. If the idea is intended to be a 'while' idea, reduce but keep the 'while.'
3. If the idea is intended to be a 'because' idea, see 1.

This confusion does not happen when you use the perfect participle, as in your example about Beethoven.

"having + p.p." will basically always have the idea of 'because'.

Hope that helps!

GrammarIan

Cool Breeze · Answer

Anonymous"having + p.p." will basically always have the idea of 'because'.

Having said that, he sat down.
= Because he had said that, he sat down. (?)

CB

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