Non-finite clauses use -ing, -ed or to-forms without a tense of their own: “Having finished the race, she sat down.” “Exhausted by the climb, they rested.” They help you combine ideas concisely.
Placing a subordinate clause first can emphasise a condition or cause: “Unless we act now, the forest will disappear.” Delaying the main clause builds suspense.
Reduced relative clauses cut extra words: “The man (who is) standing by the door is my uncle.” Varying clause structures makes writing more mature and controlled.
Worked example
Combine with a non-finite clause: “She opened the letter. She gasped.”
- The same subject does both actions.
- Turn the first action into an -ing clause.
Answer:Opening the letter, she gasped.
Key words
- non-finite clause
- a clause with no tense of its own
- concise
- short and clear
- emphasis
- importance given to an idea
Practise this
New questions every time.