Relative reduction

• Die Maßnahmen, die gestern beschlossen wurden, ...
• Die gestern beschlossenen Maßnahmen ...

Information packaging

Participle structures let you front-load context and keep main clause focus.

Accuracy check

Make sure the reduced phrase clearly modifies the right noun and preserves original meaning.

C1 writing move

Use reduced structures for summaries and argument papers, but avoid ambiguity.

Practical Examples

1. Der auf der Bank sitzende Mann liest ein Buch.

• The man sitting on the bench is reading a book.
• Usage Note: Used to concisely describe an ongoing action of a noun, replacing "der Mann, der auf der Bank sitzt".

1. Das gestern reparierte Auto fährt wieder einwandfrei.

• The car repaired yesterday is driving perfectly again.
• Usage Note: Used to describe a completed action or state of a noun, replacing "das Auto, das gestern repariert wurde".

1. Kennst du die dort drüben stehende Frau?

• Do you know the woman standing over there?
• Usage Note: Common in questions to identify someone by their current action, making the sentence more compact.

1. Hast du die von gestern übrig gebliebene Aufgabe erledigt?

• Did you finish the task left over from yesterday?
• Usage Note: Useful for referring to something that remains from a previous time or event, often implying a passive state.

1. Die nicht im Garten spielenden Kinder sind drinnen.

• The children not playing in the garden are inside.
• Usage Note: Negations are placed directly before the participle, maintaining conciseness while specifying what the noun is not doing.

1. Die nicht überprüften Informationen sind unzuverlässig.

• The unchecked information is unreliable.
• Usage Note: Clearly indicates a lack of action (checking) on the noun, leading to a specific consequence.

1. Der um 8 Uhr abfahrende Zug ist pünktlich.

• The train departing at 8 o'clock is on time.
• Usage Note: Adverbial phrases (like time specifications) are placed before the participle to provide more detail about the action.

1. Die nach langer Diskussion getroffene Entscheidung war richtig.

• The decision made after a long discussion was correct.
• Usage Note: Prepositional phrases describing the context of the action precede the participle, offering rich detail compactly.

1. Das aus dem Hahn tropfende Wasser verschwendet man.

• The water dripping from the tap is being wasted.
• Usage Note: Emphasizes a continuous, often undesirable, action of an inanimate object.

1. Die offen gelassene Tür muss geschlossen werden.

• The door left open must be closed.
• Usage Note: Describes a state resulting from a past action, often implying a mistake or oversight.

1. Die innovative Produkte entwickelnde Firma ist sehr erfolgreich.

• The company developing innovative products is very successful.
• Usage Note: Effectively characterizes a company or entity by its core activity or purpose.

1. Die durch die Krise verursachten Probleme belasten uns noch immer.

• The problems caused by the crisis are still burdening us.
• Usage Note: Clearly attributes the origin or cause of a situation to a specific event or factor.

1. Wo ist der zu dieser Tür gehörende Schlüssel?

• Where is the key belonging to this door?
• Usage Note: Used to specify possession or association, making the connection explicit and concise.

1. Die zu erledigende Aufgabe ist dringend.

• The task to be done is urgent.
• Usage Note: This "zu + Infinitiv" construction acts like a participle, expressing necessity or possibility (something that must or can be done).

1. Ein immer lachender Mensch ist sympathisch.

• A person always laughing is likeable.
• Usage Note: Describes a consistent characteristic or habit of a person or thing, making the description more vivid.