The Grammaring Guide to English Grammar with Exercises

Participles in non-finite relative clauses

The present participle in a non-finite relative clause can occur if the preceding noun is the subject of the participle. Present participle clauses correspond to finite relative clauses in the active voice:

Who is the girl

sitting

next to you in class?

(Who is the girl

that sits

next to you in class?) (defining relative clause)

Bill,

waiting outside in the rain

, was getting more and more annoyed.

(Bill,

who was waiting outside in the rain

, was getting more and more annoyed.) (non-defining relative clause)

The past participle in a non-finite relative clause can occur if the preceding noun is the object of the participle. Past participle clauses correspond to finite relative clauses in the passive voice:

Martina was the only one

not informed

about the room change.

(Martina was the only one

who was not informed / who had not been informed

about the room change.) (defining relative clause)

Romeo and Juliet, first

published

in 1597, has become one of Shakespeare's most popular plays.

(Romeo and Juliet,

which was

first

published

in 1597, has become one of Shakespeare's most popular plays.) (non-defining relative clause)

Quotes:

A book is like a garden carried in the pocket. - Chinese proverb

The greatest weariness comes from work not done. - Eric Hoffer

There is no man living that cannot do more than he thinks he can. - Henry Ford

Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned. - Peter Marshall

You live longer once you realize that any time spent being unhappy is wasted. - Ruth E. Renkl

Related topics:

Defining relative clause

Non-defining relative clause

Participle clauses