分詞時態一般是與主語的時態保持一致，除此之外有的還需先於主動詞。
1）與主語動詞同時
Hearing the news, he jumped with joy. 聽到這一訊息，他高興得手舞足蹈。
Arriving there, they found the boy dead. 剛一到那兒，他們就發現那男孩死了。
典型例題
The secretary worked late into the night, ___a long speech for the president.
A. to prepare B. preparing C. prepared D. was preparing
答案B. 此處沒有連詞，不能選D，否則出現了兩個謂語動詞worked和was preparing。 只能在B，C中選一個。又因前後兩個動作同時發生，且與主語為主動關係，應用現在分詞。
2）先於主動詞
While walking in the garden，he hurt his leg. 在花園裡散步時他傷了腿。
分詞作時間狀語，如果先與主動詞的動作，且強調先後， 要用having done。
Having finished his homework, he went out.
=As he had finished his homework, he went out.
做完作業後，他出去了。
典型例題
___ a reply, he decided to write again.
A. Not receiving B. Receiving not C. Not having received D. Having not received
答案C. 本題考查分詞的時態與分詞的`否定式。根據題意判斷，分詞的動作（接信）發生在謂語動詞的動作（決心再寫信）之前，因此用分詞的完成式。分詞的否定式的構成為not +分詞，故選C。該句可理解為：Because he had not received a reply, he decided to write again.
