分词作定语：

分词前置

We can see the rising sun. 我们可以看到东升的旭日

He is a retired worker.　 他是位退休的工人

分词后置 (i.分词词组;ii. 个别分词如given, left; iii. 修饰不定代词 something等)

There was a girl sitting there.　有个女孩坐在那里

This is the question given.　　 这是所给的问题

There is nothing interesting.　 没有有趣的东西

过去分词作定语

与其修饰的词是被动关系，相当于一个被动语态的定语从句。

Most of the people invited to the party were famous scientists.

Most of the artists invited to the party were from South Africa.

典型例题

1) The first textbook ___ for teaching English as a foreign language came out in the 16th century.

A. have written　 B. to be written　 C. being written　 D. written

答案D. 书与写作是被动关系，应用过去分词做定语表被 动，相当于定语从句 which is written

2)What's the language ____ in Germany?

A. speaking　　B. spoken　　 C. be spoken　　D. to speak

答案B. 主语language与谓语动词之间有被动的含义。

spoken是动词speak的过去分词形式，在句中作定语，修饰主语language, spoken 与 language有被动关系。该句可以理解为：

What's the language (which is) spoken in German?

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动名词与不定式 

不定式的特殊句型Why not