Reduced relative clauses with past participles 2

We've already looked at making reduced relative clauses when the relative clause includes a passive.

• Normal relative clause: We fixed the vase that had been broken by the children.

• Reduced relative clause: We fixed the vase broken by the children.

In all the examples of a reduced relative clause with a passive, the reduced relative clause is the past

participle, plus some other words. In the example above about the vase, the reduced relative clause is

the past participle 'broken' but it also has the words 'by the children'.

If we only have the past participle, without the other words, we generally don't use a reduced relative

clause. Instead, we put the past participle in front of the noun, like an adjective.

Here's a normal relative clause.

• We fixed the vase that had been broken.

We usually can't make a reduced relative clause.

• NOT: We fixed the vase broken.

Instead we just keep the whole relative clause and don't try to reduce it.

• We fixed the vase that had been broken.

In some cases, we can put the past participle before the noun like an adjective. However, it can be

tricky to know when that's possible, because not all participles can be used like this.

• We fixed the broken vase.

Let's review! Can we reduce the relative clause? Reduce it if it's possible, otherwise leave it as a

whole relative clause.

1. We sat in the living room, which had been cleaned.

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2. She is the employee who was fired by the boss.

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3. The meal that was cooked by Lucy was utterly delicious.

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4. We went in my car, which had been repaired.

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5. They called the lawyer who had been recommended.

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6. She met the girl who had been injured.

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7. The student who was accused of cheating left the university.

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8. We read the article that was written by my friend.

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9. I cleaned up the coffee which had been spilled.

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10. The laptop which was stolen from the cafe was never found.

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Answers

1. We sat in the living room, which had been cleaned.

2. She is the employee fired by the boss.

3. The meal cooked by Lucy was utterly delicious.

4. We went in my car, which had been repaired.

5. They called the lawyer who had been recommended.

6. She met the girl who had been injured.

7. The student accused of cheating left the university.

8. We read the article written by my friend.

9. I cleaned up the coffee which had been spilled.

10. The laptop stolen from the cafe was never found.