Participle Clauses

Reduced Relative Clauses

We can use participle clauses after a noun in the same way as relative clauses. This gives more information about the noun. We sometimes call this a 'reduced relative clause'.

1: A present participle (verb + ing) can be used in the same way as an active relative clause:

The man driving the car is a friend of mine.
(= The man who is driving the car is a friend of mine).

The present participle can replace any active tense, not just the present continuous tense:

Lorries coming over the bridge have to be careful of the wind.
(= Lorries that come over the bridge have to be careful of the wind).

Who was the girl wearing the red dress?
(= Who was the girl who was wearing the red dress?).

Students handing in their essays late will lose ten marks.
(= Students who hand in their essays late will lose ten marks).

2: A past participle can be used in the same way as a simple passive relative clause:

We read the email sent by the manager.
(= We read the email that had been sent by the manager).

This vase, made in China in the 14th century, is very valuable.
(= This vase, which was made in China in the 14th century, is very valuable).

She only eats cakes made by her mother.
(= She only eats cakes that are made by her mother).

3: 'Being + past participle' can be used in the same way as a continuous passive relative clause:

The poem being read by the actor was written by my brother.
(= The poem that is being read by the actor was written by my brother).

The strawberries being eaten at the wedding were grown in Scotland.
(= The strawberries that are being eaten at the wedding).

Things to notice:

1: We generally don't use perfect participles ('having + past participle') in this case.

2: We can't use this kind of participle clause if we're talking about one finished action which is not repeated:

Not: ~~Who was the girl dropping the coffee?~~

Instead, we use a normal relative clause:

Who was the girl who dropped the coffee?

Try an exercise!

Participle Clauses Exercise 1
Participle Clauses Exercise 2

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