Chapter 11: Participle Clauses (Beknopte Bijzinnen)

Introduction: Concise Clause Alternatives

Participle clauses (beknopte bijzinnen with participles) are shortened clauses that use a present participle (tegenwoordig deelwoord, e.g., lopend) or a past participle (voltooid deelwoord, e.g., gedaan) instead of a finite verb. They provide a concise way to add information about the subject of the main clause, often indicating simultaneous actions, reasons, conditions, or passive actions.

These structures are common in written Dutch and contribute to a more varied and efficient style.

Present Participle Clauses

Present participle clauses describe an action that happens at the same time as the action in the main clause, or provides background information or a reason for the main action. The implied subject of the participle clause is usually the same as the subject of the main clause.

Structure: Present Participle (infinitive + d), often placed at the beginning or end of the sentence, sometimes set off by commas.
Function: Describes a simultaneous action, manner, or reason.

Examples:

Simultaneous Action:

Fluitend liep hij over straat. (Whistling, he walked down the street.) - He was walking and whistling at the same time.
Zij zat lezend in de tuin. (She sat reading in the garden.) - She was sitting and reading simultaneously.

Manner:

Hij kwam lachend binnen. (He came in laughing.) - Describes how he came in.

Reason/Cause:

Wetend dat hij te laat was, haastte hij zich. (Knowing that he was late, he hurried.) - Because he knew he was late...

Condition:

Goed luisterend, zul je het begrijpen. (Listening well, you will understand it.) - If you listen well...

Important Note: The subject of the main clause must be the one performing the action of the participle. Avoid dangling participles:

Incorrect: Fietsend naar het werk, begon het te regenen. (Cycling to work, it started raining.) - Implies "it" was cycling.
Correct: Terwijl ik naar het werk fietste, begon het te regenen. OR Fietsend naar het werk, werd ik nat van de regen. (Cycling to work, I got wet from the rain.)

Past Participle Clauses

Past participle clauses often have a passive meaning or indicate an action completed before the main clause action. The implied subject is usually the same as the main clause subject (if passive meaning relates to the subject) or the clause modifies a noun.

Structure: Past Participle, often placed near the noun it modifies or at the beginning of the sentence.
Function: Describes a completed action, a passive state, or provides additional information.

Examples:

Passive Meaning (modifying the subject):

Aangekomen op het station, kocht hij een kaartje. (Having arrived / Arrived at the station, he bought a ticket.) - Implies Hij was aangekomen...
Gewond door het ongeluk, werd hij naar het ziekenhuis gebracht. (Injured by the accident, he was taken to the hospital.) - Implies Hij was gewond...

Completed Action (before main clause):

Het werk gedaan, ging hij naar huis. (The work done / Having done the work, he went home.) - Similar to Nadat het werk gedaan was... or Nadat hij het werk gedaan had...

Modifying a Noun (Adjectival Use): Similar to a short relative clause.

Het gestolen geld werd nooit teruggevonden. (The stolen money was never recovered.) - Modifies geld.
De door de storm omgewaaide boom blokkeerde de weg. (The tree blown over by the storm blocked the road.) - Modifies boom.

Usage and Formality

Participle clauses are more common in written Dutch than in everyday speech.
They make writing more concise by reducing the need for full subordinate clauses (terwijl, omdat, nadat).
They can add stylistic variation to your sentences.
Overuse can make text dense or unclear, so use them judiciously.

Participle clauses, using either present (lopend) or past (gedaan) participles, are valuable tools for creating more concise and sophisticated sentences in Dutch. Present participle clauses typically describe simultaneous actions or reasons linked to the main subject, while past participle clauses often imply a passive state or a prior completed action. Pay close attention to ensuring the implied subject of the participle clause matches the subject of the main clause to avoid ambiguity. Recognizing and incorporating these structures will enhance your B2 writing style.