Verb［た・ている］+ Noun

JLPT Level: N5

Meanings

Verb modifies noun

Relative clause: a verb phrase describing the noun that follows

Past or ongoing action describing the noun

Usage

Verbた + Noun

Verbている + Noun

Explanation

This grammar uses a verb in either the past tense (た form) or the te-iru form to create a relative clause that directly modifies the following noun. The noun is the head, and the preceding verb phrase describes or specifies it. Use it to compactly express ‘the … that/which was done’ or ‘the … that is being …’. It is common in everyday description and combines actions with the noun they affect. Note that with ている, you often convey a current state resulting from a previous action.

私が食べたケーキはおいしかった。

わたしがたべたケーキはおいしかった。

The cake that I ate was delicious.

道で食べている人がいます。

みちでたべているひとがいます。

There is someone who is eating on the street.

昨日本屋で読んだ本を返してきた。

きのう　ほんや　で　よんだ　ほん　を　かえして　きた。

I returned the book I read at the bookstore yesterday.

彼が作ったご飯を食べました。

かれがつくったごはんをたべました。

I ate the meal that he made.