Page 157 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

P a r t i c i p l e c l a u s e s ( - i n g , - e d a n d b e i n g - e d )

We can give information about someone or something using an -ing, past participle (-ed) or
being + past participle (-ed) clause after a noun. These clauses are often similar to defining
relative clauses (see Unit 70) beginning which, who, or that:
• We stood on the bridge connecting the two halves of the building, (or ...which
connects/connected the two halves...)
• The weapon used in the murder has now been found, (or The weapon that was used...)
• The prisoners being released are all women, (or ...who are being released...)
See Unit 75 for participle clauses with a meaning similar to non-defining relative clauses.

-ing clauses
We often use an -ing clause instead of a defining relative clause with an active verb:
• The man driving the bus is my brother, (or The man who is driving the bus...)
• The land stretching away to the left all belongs to Mrs Thompson, (or The land which
stretches away to the left...)
• Police took away Dr Li and items belonging to him. (or ...items which belong/belonged to
him.)

Sometimes, however, we can't use an -ing clause. For example:
• when there is a noun between the relative pronoun and the verb in the defining relative clause:
• The man who Tim is meeting for lunch is from Taiwan, (not ...the man Tim meeting...)
• when the event or action talked about in the defining relative clause comes before the event or
action talked about in the rest of the sentence, except when the second event or action is the
result of the first. Compare:
• The snow which fell overnight has turned to ice. (not The snow falling overnight...) and
• The snow which fell overnight has caused traffic chaos, (or The snow falling overnight has
caused traffic chaos.)
• when we talk about a single, completed action in the defining relative clause, rather than a
continuous action. Compare:
I • • The girl who fell over on the ice broke her arm. (not The girl falling over...) and
off the
covering the furniture.)
I pulled
(or ...sheets
sheets which covered the furniture,
Past participle (-ed) and being + past participle (-ed) clauses
We often use a past participle or being + past participle clause instead of a defining relative
clause with a passive verb:
• The book published last week is his first written for children, (or The book that was
published last week...)
• The boys being chosen for the team are under 9. (or The boys who are being chosen...)

Sometimes, however, we can't use a past participle or being + past participle clause. For example:
• when there is a noun between the relative pronoun and the verb in the defining relative clause:
• The speed at which decisions are made in the company is worrying, (not The speed at which
decisions made...)
• The issue that club members are being asked to vote on at tonight's meeting is that of a fee
increase... (not The issue being asked to vote on...)
• when the defining relative clause includes a modal verb other than will:
• There are a number of people who should be asked, (not ...people should be asked.)
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