Reduced relative clauses and absolute constructions with past and present participles
A past participle can replace a full relative clause (que + verb) in formal and written Spanish, with the participle agreeing in gender and number.
Full: Los documentos que fueron firmados ayer son válidos.
Reduced: Los documentos firmados ayer son válidos.
Full: La carta que escribiste llegó esta mañana.
Reduced: La carta escrita por ti llegó esta mañana.
When a past participle modifies a noun, it agrees in gender and number — like an adjective.
el informe publicado (masc. sing.) · los informes publicados (masc. pl.)
la carta enviada (fem. sing.) · las cartas enviadas (fem. pl.)
The participle acts as an adjective: always match the noun.
An absolute participle clause has its own (implied) subject and explains condition, cause, or time. It can come before or after the main clause.
Terminada la reunión, todos salieron. (Once the meeting was over, everyone left.)
Apagadas las luces, empezó la película. (With the lights off, the film began.)
Dicho esto, se marchó. (Having said that, she left.) — fixed expression
The participle agrees with the noun that goes with it (la reunión → terminada).
The gerundio can replace a subordinate clause of manner, simultaneous action, or cause.
Simultaneous: Entró silbando. (He came in whistling.) — manner
Cause: Siendo tan tarde, decidimos quedarnos. (Since it was so late, we decided to stay.)
Condition: Estudiando así, aprobarás. (If you study like that, you will pass.)
Both participle types appear frequently in journalistic, academic, and legal Spanish.
Una vez firmado el acuerdo, comenzarán las obras. (Once the agreement is signed, works will begin.)
Vistos los resultados, el director tomó medidas. (Having seen the results, the director took action.)
Fixed: Dicho esto · Hecho esto · Teniendo en cuenta que…
Traps for English speakers
These are the errors English speakers make most often.