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54
These complexes of descriptive and narrative stylistic nature seem to be gaining ground in present-day
English.
§ 5. The past participle is the non-finite form of the verb which combines the properties of the verb with
those of the adjective, serving as the qualifying-proccssual name. The past participle is a single form, having no
paradigm of its own. By way of the paradigmatic correlation with the present participle, it conveys implicitly
the categorial meaning of the perfect and the passive. As different from the present participle, it has no distinct
combinability features or syntactic function features specially characteristic of the adverb. Thus, the main self-
positional functions of the past participle in the sentence are those of the attribute and the predicative. Cf.:
Moyra's softened look gave him a new hope (Past participle attributive front-position). The cleverly chosen
timing of the attack determined the outcome of the battle (Past participle attributive front-position). It is a face
devastated by passion (Past participle attributive back-position). His was a victory gained against all rules and
predictions (Past participle attributive back-position). Looked upon
in this light, the wording of the will didn't
appear so odious (Past participle attributive detached position). The light is bright and inconveniently placed for
reading (Past participle predicative position).
    The past participle is included in the structural formation of the present participle (perfect, passive), which,
together with the other differential properties, vindicates the treatment of this form as a separate verbid.
In the attributive use, the past participial meanings of the perfect and the passive are expressed in dynamic
correlation with the aspective lexico-grammatical character of the verb. As a result of this correlation, the
attributive past participle of limitive verbs in a neutral context expresses priority, while the past participle of
unlimitive verbs expresses simultaneity. E.g.:
A tree broken by the storm blocked the narrow passage between the cliffs and the water. (Priority in the
passive; the implication is "a tree that had been broken by the storm"). I saw that the picture admired by the
general public hardly had a fair chance with the judges. (Simultaneity in the passive; the implication is "the
picture which was being admired by the public").
Like the present participle, the past participle is capable of making up semi-predicative constructions of
complex object, complex subject, as well as of absolute complex.
The past participial complex object is specifically characteristic with verbs of wish and oblique causality
(have, get). Cf:.
I want the document prepared for signing by 4 p.m. Will you have my coat brushed up, please?
Compare the use of the past participial complex object and the complex subject as its passive transform with
a perception verb:
We could hear a shot or two fired from a field mortar. > A shot or two could be heard fired from a field
mortar.
The complex subject of this type, whose participle is included in the double predicate of the sentence, is
used but occasionally. A more common type of the participial complex subject can be seen with notional links
of motion and position. Cf:.
We sank down and for a while lay there stretched out and exhausted.
The absolute past participial complex as a rule expresses priority in the correlation of two events. Cf:.
The preliminary talks completed, it became possible to concentrate on the central point of the agenda.
The past participles of non-objective verbs are rarely used in independent sentence-part positions; they are
mostly included in phraseological or cliche combinations like faded photographs, fallen leaves, a retired
officer, a withered flower, dream come true, etc. In these and similar cases the idea of pure quality rather than
that of processual quality is expressed, the modifying participles showing the features of adjectivization.
As is known, the past participle is traditionally interpreted as being capable of adverbial-related use (like the
present participle), notably in detached syntactical positions, after the introductory subor-dinative conjunctions.
Cf:.
Called up by the conservative minority, the convention failed to pass a satisfactory resolution. Though
welcomed heartily by his host, Frederick felt at once that something was wrong.
Approached from the paradigmatic point of view in the constructional sense, this interpretation is to be re-
considered. As a matter of fact, past participial constructions of the type in question display clear cases of
syntactic compression. The true categorial nature of the participial forms employed by them is exposed by the
corresponding transformational correlations ("back transformations") as being not of adverbial, but of definitely
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