Sometimes when we use clauses, we can make them shorter and simpler by using adverb phrases. Adverb phrases use gerunds.
Since he doesn't have a coach, he's not a very experienced volleyball player.
In this case, we can't shorten it by using a prepositional phrase because we can't make a short phrase with only a preposition and a noun.
So instead, we shorten it by using gerunds.
| Adverb Clause | Since he doesn't have a coach, he's not a very experienced volleyball player. |
| Adverb Phrase | Not having a coach, he's not a very experienced volleyball player. |
By changing the word 'have' into a gerund, you can shorten the sentence.
It is important to remember that this only works if the subject is the same in both clauses of a sentence. It doesn't work if the subject is different.
| Adverb Clause | Adverb Phrase | |
| Same Subjects | While I was running outside, I fell and broke my ankle. | While running outside, I fell and broke my ankle. |
| Different Subjects | While Maggie was running outside, June fell and broke his ankle. |
Because the subjects in the two clauses in the second example are different, you cannot remove the subject and make an adverb phrase.
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