Reduced relative clauses with past participles

The idea

When the noun receives the action, a suitable clause such as which were delivered this morning can become delivered this morning. The participle follows the noun; context supplies the time.

Examples

• The parcels delivered this morning are on the desk.
• The song chosen by the choir surprised the audience.
• Students invited to the workshop should arrive early.
• The bridge built across the river is now open.
• Food prepared in this kitchen contains no nuts.
• The painting found behind the cupboard belongs to Maya.

Watch out

Do not use a past participle for a noun performing the action: people inviting guests are doing the inviting, while people invited receive an invitation. Not every relative clause can be reduced without changing meaning.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct option. The letters ___ yesterday are on the shelf. (sent / sending)

   Show answer or example answer

   sent

   sent describes what happened to the letters.

2. Choose the correct option. The people ___ to the meeting received an email. (invited / inviting)

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   invited

   invited identifies the people who received invitations.

3. Choose the correct option. The bicycle ___ by the mechanic is ready. (repaired / repairing)

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   repaired

   repaired describes the bicycle receiving the repair.

Use it today

Describe an object using a full passive relative clause, then shorten it without changing the meaning.