Past participle as attribute

Question

Hello, everybody!Please help me with my question.Are such constructions correct?The incident taken place in Saint-Petersburg was unprecedentedThe incident occured in Saint-Petersburg was unprecedentedwith taken place and occured as attributes, not finite forms?That's very important for me. Please, answer, I would be very grateful.

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

Unfortunately both your examples are wrong.

The usage you suggest is possible with transitive verbs only. In other words, you need a verb that can have an object, a verb that can be used in the passive voice. Even thoughtake can have an object, take place can't; nor can occur. We cannot say:

*An accident was occurred.
*An accident was taken place.

Many verbs that can be used in the passive can also be used in reduced clauses, or clause equivalents, as they are often called in grammar books [that/which are] writtenby non-native grammarians. (I just gave you an example!

)Write can have an object, so we can say:

The letters [that/which were] written yesterday have been mailed/posted.

However, English isn't logical and consistent in this. Unfortunately you cannot rely on this rule as there are countless transitive verbs that are not used, at least not very naturally, in the way you describe. An example:

*The money got yesterday has been given to the Salvation Army.

There is no special reason for this. Few things in English grammar are completely consistent. That's one of the reasons the language is so colourful and fascinating!

CB

Meowth · Answer

Thank you very much for your efforts!
You are great!

Past participle as attribute

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