participle clauses..

[light]

hello,
what does the following sentence mean?
"on leaving the cinema, we went for a drink."
"on hearing that my brother was planning to go abroad, I decided to talk with him."

also,
"lost for many years, the painting turned up at an auction."

here is it possible to say "having been lost for many years, .... "
or "been lost for many years, ....." ? or "being lost for many years, ..."

thanks in advance

[susiedqq]

on leaving the cinema, (upon the act of leaving the cinema or when we were leaving), we went for a drink."(It tells "when" we / went)


"on hearing that my brother was planning to go abroad, (When learning that my brother . . . )I decided to talk with him." tells when I/decided

"lost for many years, the painting turned up at an auction."

describes the painting (that is had been "lost" (missing, stolen, hidden?)for many years before it showed up to be auctioned.

[light]

thanks a lot,

is also it possible to say "having been lost for many years, .... "
or "been lost for many years, ....." ? or "being lost for many years, ..."

[light]

"lost for serveral years, the painting turned up at an auction." this is the original sentence.

is it also possible to say
a) "having been lost for many years, .... "
b) "been lost for many years, ....." ?
c) "being lost for many years, ..."

any web site which gives detailed information on participle clauses? (I have some grammar books but either this topic is not included or just a few examples are given)

[engee30]

Originally Posted by light

"lost for serveral years, the painting turned up at an auction." this is the original sentence.

is it also possible to say
a) "having been lost for many years, .... "
b) "been lost for many years, ....." ?
c) "being lost for many years, ..."

any web site which gives detailed information on participle clauses? (I have some grammar books but either this topic is not included or just a few examples are given)

[light]

thanks for your reply (thought I'd appreciate why b and c are wrong :))

[engee30]

Originally Posted by light

thanks for your reply (thought I'd appreciate why b and c are wrong :))

a) "having been lost for many years, ...

b) "been lost for many years, ... You normally never begin a sentence with been.

c) "being lost for many years, ... for many years excludes the use of being; that's why it should be having been lost.

The painting turned up at an auction after it had been lost for many years. = (Having been) lost for many years, the painting turned up at an auction. or The painting turned up at an auction, (having been) lost for many years.