Participle Phrases: when, because, although
A participle phrase can mean when, after, because, although or if. The sentence decides which.
How It Works
| Sense | Example |
|---|---|
| when, while | Marcus, domum rediens, Iuliam vidit. As Marcus was returning home, he saw Iulia. |
| after | Caesar, hoc locutus, discessit. After saying this, Caesar left. |
| because | Pueri, patrem timentes, tacuerunt. Because they feared their father, the boys were silent. |
| although | Multa passus, Marcus tamen non cessit. Although he had suffered much, Marcus did not give way. |
Translate with the English word the sense asks for. Words such as tamen (still) often show an although meaning.
In the Vulgate, respondens dixit (answering, he said) opens many replies. The participle stands for a clause: he answered and said.
Examples (5)
- Marcus, domum rediens, Iuliam vidit.
As Marcus was returning home, he saw Iulia.
Rediens is a present participle, and it matches Marcus.
- Caesar, hoc locutus, discessit.
After saying this, Caesar left.
Locutus comes from the deponent loquor. It looks passive and means active: having said.
- Pueri, patrem timentes, tacuerunt.
Because they feared their father, the boys were silent.
Timentes matches pueri, and the sense is because.
- Multa passus, Marcus tamen non cessit.
Although he had suffered much, Marcus did not give way.
Passus is the deponent participle of patior, and tamen shows the although meaning.
- Respondens Simon Petrus dixit: Tu es Christus, Filius Dei vivi.
Answering, Simon Peter said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Matthew 16:16. Respondens dixit is a standard way to open a reply.
Common Mistakes
Using the present participle for an earlier action.
Hoc dicens, Caesar discessit.Hoc locutus, Caesar discessit.Dicens means saying and shows an action at the same time as discessit. Hoc dicens, Caesar discessit means Saying this, Caesar left. For after saying this, use the perfect participle locutus.
Not matching the participle to its noun.
Caesar urbem captus delevit.Caesar urbem captam delevit.A perfect participle agrees with the noun it describes. Urbem is feminine accusative, so the participle is captam. Captus would agree with Caesar and say that Caesar had been captured.
How It Connects
Learn This First
A participle can stand for a whole clause, so the participles, the ablative absolute and the deponent participles come first.
- Participles Doing Another Job
Know participles as adjectives, because a participle phrase stands for a clause.
Level 4 - Ablative Absolute (While): Marco legenteAblative Absolute: Marco Legente
Know the ablative absolute, because it is the best-known participle phrase.
Level 4 - Deponents in the Perfect
Know deponents in the perfect, because locutus and passus are deponent participles: having spoken, having suffered.
Level 4
Related Patterns
- Present Participle: amans, ducensThe Participle: Amans, Ducens
The form behind rediens and timentes.
Level 4 - Perfect Passive Participle: amatus, ductus, captusThe Participle: Amatus, Ductus, Captus
The form behind captam.
Level 4 - Ablative Absolute (After): urbe captaAblative Absolute: Urbe Capta
A participle phrase with its own noun.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Participle Phrases: when, because, although in Bubblegum
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