At C2 you build complex sentences efficiently using participle clauses, infinitive clauses, and verbless (absolute) constructions — hallmarks of sophisticated written English.
Present participle
Walking home, I saw an accident.
Past participle
Exhausted by the journey, she fell asleep.
Perfect participle
Having finished his work, he relaxed.
Verbless (absolute)
Hands trembling, she opened the letter.
Fronted participle clauses
Place a participle clause at the start for emphasis or variety
Participle clause, + main clause ✓
Reason
Knowing the answer, she remained silent. (= Because she knew...)
Time
Having opened the letter, she gasped. (= After she had opened...)
Condition
Given more time, we could solve this. (= If given...)
Result
She left early, missing the announcement. (= and so she missed)
Critical rule: the subject of the participle clause MUST be the same as the subject of the main clause, or the structure dangles. ✗ "Walking home, the rain started" — the rain wasn't walking.
Absolute clauses (verbless / participial)
A clause with its own subject, often verbless
With participle
The meeting having ended, everyone left.
Body language
Eyes closed, she listened to the music.
Setting / circumstance
Weather permitting, the match will go ahead.
Concession
All things considered, the result was fair.
Time being short, we abandoned the project.
She entered, head held high.
Infinitive clauses for purpose
to + base
To understand the result, one must consider context.
in order to
She worked late in order to finish the report. (formal)
so as to
He spoke quietly so as not to wake her.
for + obj + to + base
She moved aside for the children to pass.
Result with so/such
It was so cold as to be unbearable. (formal)
Coordination at higher levels
Correlative pairs
not only ... but also / either ... or / neither ... nor / both ... and
Inverted correlative
Not only is she clever, but she is also kind.
As well as + -ing
As well as being talented, she works hard.
whereas / while (contrast)
Most students struggled, whereas she excelled.
Common mistakes
Walking home, the rain started.
→
While I was walking home, the rain started.
dangling participle — subject mismatch
Not only she is clever but also kind.
→
Not only is she clever, but she is also kind.
inversion after fronted "not only"
Having finished his work, the boss praised him.
→
Having finished his work, he was praised by the boss.