Having washed her hair

Usage

Participle clauses are common in written language. We can use them to shorten active and passive sentences.

Active Sentences

Use the present participle (ing-form) to show that two actions are taking place at the same time.

Example:

Holding the hair-dryer in her left hand, Susan cut her hair with the scissors in her right hand.

Long form: Susan was holding the hair-dryer in her left hand and cutting her hair with the scissors in her right hand.

Use the perfect participle to indicate that the action in the participle clause took place before the action in the main clause.

Example:

Having washed her hair, Susan reached for the hair-dryer and scissors.

Long form: After Susan had washed her hair, she reached for the hair-dryer and scissors.

Passive Sentences

We use the past participle to shorten a passive clause.

Example:

Blown to the right by the hair-dryer, her hair could easily be cut.

Long form: Her hair was blown to the right by the hair-dryer and could easily be cut.

Forming Participle Clause in English Grammar

• 
  There is no subject in a participle clause. The subject of the main clause is also the subject of the participle clause.
  

Example:

Having washed her hair, Susan reached for the hair-dryer and scissors.

• 
  The main verb is changed into a participle. We have to pay attention to whether the action in the participle clause takes place at the same time as the action in the main clause or before it, and whether we are using the active or the passive voice.
  

Example:

Holding the hair-dryer in her left hand, Susan cut her hair.
(simultaneous action, active - present participle)

• 
  In a negative participle clause we put not before the participle.
  

Example:

Not having any money, Susan decided to cut her hair herself.