9.1 分词作定语
不及物动词的现在分词作定语表达强调动作正在进行，过去分词强调完成；及物动词的现在分词作定语强调主动，过去分词强调被动。分词的完成式一般不作定语。分词作其他成分时，也是如此。分词作定语，单个的分词作定语一般前置；分词词组，个别分词如given, left等，修饰不定代词等的分词，作定语需后置。例如：
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
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
分词作定语相当于定语从句，如Most of the people invited to the party were famous scientists. = Most of the people who wereinvited to the party were famous scientists.
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 was 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，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?