Depending on ...?

Question

Hello teachers,I'm wondering whether the phrase "depending on" should be interpreted as "a participial construction" or "preposition".And "being given off" and "being ironed" are "present participles"?I have to explain them grammatically... so need your help.Would you take a look at them and let me know your opinion?Thanks a lot in advance~!pb---------------------------------------------------------And this is the thermostat that controls the intensity of heat produced by the iron.    You can, therefore, adjust the temperature of the iron and the amount of steam being given off depending on the type of fabric being ironed.

Yankee · Accepted Answer

Hi PB

They're participles.

In your sentence, I would interpret "being" this way:

And this is the thermostat that controls the intensity of heat produced by the iron. You can, therefore, adjust the temperature of the iron and the amount of steam (that is) being given off, depending on the type of fabric (that is) being ironed.

Obviously, the word "on" is a preposition, but to me "depending on the type of fabric (that is) being ironed" is a participial phrase which basically modifies the whole previous clause. Thus, if I were to use "depending on" in that sentence, I'd feel more comfortable with a comma between the words "being given off" and "depending on". The writer of your sentence is in essence saying saying this:

(1) You can adjust the temperature and/or amount of steam, and (2) whether or not (or how much) you adjust the temperature and/or amount of steam depends on the type of fabric being ironed.

It would also make sense to say "adjust (temperature and steam) to (the type of fabric)". Then you would simply have a preposition (to).

Depending on ...?

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