Learn absolute participial constructions with a subject different from that of the main clause, and participial constructions established as idiomatic expressions.
Basic Rules
Absolute participial construction: When the logical subject of the participle differs from that of the main clause, explicitly state the logical subject before the participle.
“The sun having set, we decided to camp there.”
Idiomatic participial constructions (accepted even when the subjects do not match):
generally speaking / strictly speaking / frankly speaking / judging from / considering / taking ~ into account / given ~ / speaking of ~
It being rainy, the game was cancelled. ← Absolute participial construction
Generally speaking, Japanese people are hardworking.
Judging from his accent, he must be from Osaka.
Taking everything into account, the plan seems reasonable.
Points to Note
① There being / It being: Common forms in absolute participial constructions. “There being no taxi, we had to walk.”
② provided (that) / granted (that): Established expressions showing the condition “if〜.”
③ Use of given: Used like a preposition to mean “on the assumption that〜” or “considering〜.” “Given his experience, he should handle it well.”
- Absolute participial construction: when the subject differs from that of the main clause, place the logical subject before the participle
- generally speaking / strictly speaking / frankly speaking
- judging from: judging from〜
- taking ~ into account / given ~: considering〜
Practice
- Translate “Considering his age, he runs very fast” into English using considering.
- Translate “Because the weather was bad, the picnic was cancelled” into English using an absolute participial construction.
- Translate “Frankly speaking, the plan has drawbacks” into English using frankly speaking.