Deutsch · B2 · grammar · 4 minutes
Participles as adjectives
Condense relative clauses with present or past participles and add normal adjective endings.
Understand the choice
Participial attributes compress information but can become heavy. Restore them as relative clauses to check meaning: veröffentlichte Zahlen = Zahlen, die veröffentlicht wurden; steigende Preise = Preise, die steigen.
Core rule: Present participles express an active/ongoing relation; past participles often a completed/passive relation; both decline like adjectives before nouns.
Notice it in context
Die gestern veröffentlichten Zahlen bestätigen den erwarteten Rückgang.
The figures published yesterday confirm the expected decline.
Veröffentlichten is a past participle with plural weak -en; erwarteten modifies masculine accusative Rückgang.
Steigende Kosten belasten besonders kleine Unternehmen.
Rising costs particularly burden small companies.
Steigende is active present participle; kleine is attributive adjective.
Die von uns vorgeschlagene Lösung wurde angenommen.
The solution proposed by us was accepted.
Vorgeschlagene condenses a passive relative clause and agrees with Lösung.
What to remember
- A present participle is infinitive + d: steigen → steigend.
- Long participial phrases are common in formal writing but often clearer as relative clauses.
Common trap: Do not confuse active steigend with passive/complete gestiegen; their time and voice differ.