Participles clauses: 'Not having any boyfriend...'

[Tom]

Hi

Could you please tell me if the following sentences are OK? I am learning participle clauses these days. :shock: Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Not having any boyfriend, she flirted with every guy she met.

Having never been there before, he was stunned.

Leaving the house, he switched off the lights.

Being on holiday, she couldn't go to the party.

Preparing dinner, she cut her finger.

While travelling around Ireland, I always stay in youth hostels.

Having not heard the doorbell, she missed the delivery.

Not hearing the doorbell, she missed the delivery.

Not feeling well, he stayed in bed.

Talking on the phone, they forgot everything around them.

Many thanks

Tom

[Alan]

Hi Tom,

You're teasing the old brain this morning, mine I mean. They all seem all right except that I would tend to put the negative first in numbers 2 and 8 - never having been, not having heard.

Since my previous post I'm getting a comma neurosis as I know you're watching closely.

A
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[Yankee]

Hi Tom

Not having any boyfriend, she flirted with every guy she met. OK

Having never been there before, he was stunned. OK

Leaving the house, he switched off the lights. I'd prefer "As he was leaving..."

Being on holiday, she couldn't go to the party. OK

Preparing dinner, she cut her finger. I'd prefer "While preparing dinner..."

While travelling around Ireland, I always stay in youth hostels. I'd prefer "When travelling..." -OR- While travelling around Ireland, I stayed in youth hostels.

Having not heard the doorbell, she missed the delivery. OK

Not hearing the doorbell, she missed the delivery. Better with "Not having heard" or "Having not heard"

Not feeling well, he stayed in bed. OK

Talking on the phone, they forgot everything around them. I'd prefer "While talking ..."

Amy
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