English Grammar

Participle clauses

Participles can combine with other words into participle clauses. We often use participle clauses after nouns in order to define or identify the nouns. Participle clauses are often very like relative clauses.

• I saw a girl standing at the gate. (= I saw a girl who was standing at the gate.)
• We saw trees laden with fruits. (We saw trees which were laden with fruits.)
• Most of the people invited to the party didn't turn up. (= Most of the people who were invited to the party didn't turn up.)
• The child sitting in that corner is John. (=The child who is sitting in that corner is John.)
• The books lying on the table are mine. (=The books that are lying on the table are mine.)

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