分词既有动词的特征，由有形容词和副词的特征。分词有现在分词和过去分词两种。现在分词有一般式和完成式，过去分词没有这种区别。及物动词的现在分词还有主动形式和被动形式的区别。分词常用的形式如表所示(以及物动词do 和不及物动词go为例)：

do go

主动 被动

现在分词 doing being done going

过去分词 / done gone

完成式 having done having been done /

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?

9.2 分词作状语

分词作状语，可以表示时间，原因，理由，条件，让步，连续等，相当于一个状语从句。例如：

Not receiving any letter from him, I gave him a call. 由于没有收到他的信，我给他打了个电话。

As I didn't receive any letter from him, I gave him a call.

Given more attention，the trees could have grown better. 多给些照顾，那些树会长得更好。

If more attention was given, the trees could have grown better.

典型例题