Question

Combine the following sentences by making use of a participle:

The stable door was open. The horse was stolen.

• A. The stable door being open, the horse was stolen.
• B. The stable door being opened, the horse was stolen.
• C. Opening the stable door, the horse was stolen.
• D. Stealing the horse, the stable door was open.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

The stable door being open, the horse was stolen.

A gerund is a form of a verb used as a noun, whereas a participle is a form of verb used as an adjective or as a verb in conjunction with an auxiliary verb.

If we wish to emphasize that one action was before another then we can use a perfect participle.

From the given options, option A is correct as 'being' is a verb form which is also used as an adjective to describe the opening of the stable door.

The incorrect options are:

B - The tense of 'open' is incorrect.

C - 'Opening' is used just as a verb and not a participle.

D - The sequence of events has changed.