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Teacher cue
B2 · English Grammar

Reduced Adverb
Cause-Effect Clauses

Being metal, the lid expands more when it gets hot.

-ing · being having + past participle
The idea

Same cause, fewer words

A clause of reason can be shortened to a participle phrase. The meaning is identical — the sentence is just tighter and more formal.

Full → reduced

Because you have used her name a couple of times, you're less likely to forget it.

Having used her name a couple of times, you're less likely to forget it.

What disappears

× the conjunction

× the subject

× the tense

Which participle you use depends on the verb and the tense you started with.

Route 1 · 2 · 3

Three ways to reduce

Ask two questions: is the verb be, and did the cause happen before the result?

Most verbs
-ing form

Because I am standing in the supermarket…
→ Standing in the supermarket, I can check the photo.

The verb be
being + adjective / noun

Since it is metal…
→ Being metal, the lid expands more when it gets hot.

Perfect tenses
having + past participle

Because you have used her name…
→ Having used her name, you're less likely to forget it.

Route 3 in detail

having + past participle

Use it when the cause is in the present perfect or past perfect, or simply happened before the result.

Having lived abroad for ten years, she speaks four languages fluently.
Not having eaten since breakfast, I was starving by two o'clock.
Having been warned twice, he finally slowed down. ← passive
The golden rule

One subject only

A reduced clause has no subject of its own, so it borrows the subject of the main clause. If the two subjects differ, you cannot reduce.

Works

Since the lid is metal, it expands.

→ Being metal, the lid expands.

Doesn't work

Since the lid is metal, I waited.

→ Being metal, I waited. (I'm not metal)

⚠ Watch out

Common mistakes

Because being metal, the lid expands.

Correct: Being metal, the lid expands.

Have used her name, you're less likely to forget it.

Correct: Having used her name…

Don't having a car, we take the bus.

Correct: Not having a car…

Having already saw the film, she stayed in.

Correct: Having already seen the film…

Now it's your turn

Let's
practice.

Say the answer out loud — then tap to check.

Practice 1
tap the blank to reveal

Fill the gap

(you have used) her name a couple of times, you're less likely to forget it.
(it is) metal, the lid expands more when it gets hot.
(I am standing) in the supermarket, I can check the photo.
(we don't have) a car, we take the bus everywhere.
I wasn't surprised when he crashed, (he had been warned) twice.
Practice 2
tap a sentence to reveal the error

Spot the mistake

BeenA tired after the flight, we wentB straight toC bed withoutD dinner.

ABeen → Being

✓ reduce be to being

Having been warnedA about the storm, the crew securedB the deck, although the forecasts wasC unclearD.

Calthough the forecasts was → although the forecasts were

✓ the forecasts is plural → were

DelayedA by heavy traffic, we missedB the opening, andC being not able to enter, we waited outsideD.

Dbeing not able to enter, we waited outside → not being able to enter, we waited outside

✓ not comes before the participle

Practice 3
tap to reveal a model answer

Reduce the clause

Because she is a doctor, she knew what to do. →
Since he has already seen the film, he's staying in. →
As we don't have a car, we take the bus. →
Because she works nights, Anna sleeps all morning. →
Speak & write

Your turn

Use -ing, being or having + past participle.

What are you good at, and why? Start with Having…
Describe an object in this room. Start with Being…
What can't you do at the moment? Use Not having…
How does the place you live shape your day?
Recap

Remember this

Most verbs
the -ing form
The verb be
being + adjective or noun
Perfect / earlier cause
having + past participle
Always delete
the conjunction and the subject

Two subjects, no reduction — check them before you cut.

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