English grammar
Describing art with a past participle: signed by Frida, painted in sixteen fifty-six
Describe a work of art with past participles: painted in…, restored, signed by….
From the scene Painted by Velázquez
In short
A past participle can describe a noun: a portrait signed by Frida, painted in 1656. A full sentence still needs was.
Your turn
Which one goes with how it is now?
Options: opened yesterday by the Minister for Culture · beautifully restored · painted in sixteen fifty-six
Show answer
how it is now → beautifully restored
How it works
A past participle phrase can describe a noun without which and was: an old portrait of Grandad, signed by Frida.
Good to know
It is a short form of the passive, meaning 'which was signed by Frida'. Add by for who did it, and in for when.
Good to know
A full sentence still needs was: it was painted by my aunt.
when it was made painted in sixteen fifty-six
Elena
A historic work, painted in sixteen fifty-six.
Una obra histórica. Fue pintada en mil seiscientos cincuenta y seis.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
A historic work, (blank).
Options: opened yesterday by the Minister for Culture · painted in sixteen fifty-six · beautifully restored
Show answer
Elena
A historic work, painted in sixteen fifty-six.
Una obra histórica. Fue pintada en mil seiscientos cincuenta y seis.
how it is now beautifully restored
Nuria
And beautifully restored, too. I studied every figure.
Y está muy bien restaurada. Observé cada figura.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank), too. I studied every figure.
Options: painted in sixteen fifty-six · opened yesterday by the Minister for Culture · beautifully restored
Show answer
Nuria
And beautifully restored, too. I studied every figure.
Y está muy bien restaurada. Observé cada figura.
what happened and who did it opened yesterday by the Minister for Culture
Nuria
Great! A new exhibition, opened yesterday by the Minister for Culture.
¡Genial! Una nueva exposición, inaugurada ayer por el ministro de Cultura.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Great! A new exhibition, (blank).
Options: opened yesterday by the Minister for Culture · painted in sixteen fifty-six · beautifully restored
Show answer
Nuria
Great! A new exhibition, opened yesterday by the Minister for Culture.
¡Genial! Una nueva exposición, inaugurada ayer por el ministro de Cultura.
what you can see on it signed by Frida
Your turn
What goes with signed by Frida?
Options: how it is now · what you can see on it · when it was made
Show answer
signed by Frida → what you can see on it
a full sentence needs was it was painted by my aunt
Tomás
No, it was painted by my aunt. She's called Frida too.
No, fue pintado por mi tía. También se llama Frida.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
No, (blank). She's called Frida too.
Options: beautifully restored · it was painted by my aunt · painted in sixteen fifty-six
Show answer
Tomás
No, it was painted by my aunt. She's called Frida too.
No, fue pintado por mi tía. También se llama Frida.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| when it was made | painted in sixteen fifty-six |
|---|---|
| how it is now | beautifully restored |
| what happened and who did it | opened yesterday by the Minister for Culture |
| what you can see on it | signed by Frida |
| a full sentence needs was | it was painted by my aunt |
More lines from the story
- ElenaMy favourite character: the dog. Asleep, like Ramón.Mi personaje favorito: el perro. Dormido, como Ramón.
- TomásWell, at home we've got an original painting.Pues en casa tenemos un cuadro original.