Participial Phrases
книгата, написана от него = книгата, която е написана от него (the book written by him).
How It Works
1. Two main participles. The past passive participle describes something that has been done: книгата, написана от него (the book written by him). The present active participle in -щ describes someone doing something: хората, чакащи на опашката (the people waiting in line).
2. Same meaning as a relative clause. хората, които чакат на опашката = хората, чакащи на опашката. The participle version is shorter and more formal. In speech, a clause with който is usual.
3. After the noun: commas on both sides. A phrase after the noun gets a comma before and after it: Хората, чакащи на опашката, започнаха да се ядосват. See commas around detached phrases.
4. Integrated phrases before the noun. A participle phrase integrated into a definite noun phrase can stand before the noun. The first inflecting modifier then takes the article, with no comma. An indefinite phrase needs no article, while a detached fronted phrase takes a comma: написаната от него книга, чакащите на опашката хора. See the article on the first word.
5. Agreement. The participle agrees with the noun: писмото, изпратено вчера, документите, изпратени вчера. The л-participle can head such a phrase too: студентите, завършили с отличие (the students who graduated with honors); see л-participles used as adjectives.
6. Where you meet it. News, reports, contracts and literature: Сумата, посочена в договора, не включва ДДС (The amount stated in the contract does not include VAT).
Examples (6)
- Книгата, написана от него, стана бестселър.
The book written by him became a bestseller.
- Хората, чакащи на опашката, започнаха да се ядосват.
The people waiting in line started to get angry.
- Сумата, посочена в договора, не включва ДДС.
The amount stated in the contract does not include VAT.
- Прочетох изпратеното от теб писмо.
I read the letter you sent.
Word by Word: I-read the-sent by you letter.
This phrase is integrated into a definite noun phrase, so its first inflecting participle takes the article; position alone does not require definiteness.
- Децата, играещи в парка, не чуха звънеца.
The children playing in the park didn't hear the bell.
- Студентите, завършили с отличие, ще получат награда.
The students who graduated with honors will receive an award.
Here the phrase is headed by the л-participle завършили.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out the commas around a phrase after the noun.
Хората чакащи на опашката се ядосаха.Хората, чакащи на опашката, се ядосаха.A participle phrase after the noun is enclosed in commas, before and after.
Not making the participle agree with the noun.
Книгата, написан от него, е интересна.Книгата, написана от него, е интересна.Книгата is feminine, so the participle takes the feminine ending -а.
Putting the article on the noun when the phrase comes first.
Прочетох изпратено от теб писмото.Прочетох изпратеното от теб писмо.In a definite integrated phrase before the noun, the article goes on the first inflecting modifier, here the participle. An indefinite phrase needs no article.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Participial phrases need participles and commas.
- Present Active Participle in -щThe Present Active Participle
Present active participles head phrases.
Level 4 - -л Participles as AdjectivesЛ-Participles Used as Adjectives
Л-participles used as adjectives can also head a participial phrase.
Level 5 - който/която/което/коитоRelative Clauses with Който
Relative clauses with който give the full-clause equivalent of a participial phrase.
Level 3
Related Patterns
Practice Participial Phrases in Bubblegum
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