• The Subjective Participial Construction

(Субъектный причастный оборот)

Function: Complex Subject

or according to another point of view – the nominal component is ‘the subject’, the verbal component is ‘part of a compound verbal predicate’.

The Subjective Participial Construction is a construction in which the participle is in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the nominative case. In the sentence the Subjective Participial Construction has the function of a complex subject (or another point of view: one component of the construction has the function of the subject, the other component is part of a compound verbal predicate.) In Russian it usually corresponds to a complex sentence.

• He was seen crossing the street. Видели, как он переходил улицу.

(‘He … crossing’ is the Subjective Participial Construction in the function of a Complex Subject or according to another point of view – the nominal component ‘He’ is the subject, the verbal component ‘saying’ is part of a compound verbal predicate.)

• The door was heard shutting. Было слышно, как дверь закрывалась. (‘The door … shutting’ is the Subjective Participial Construction.)

• But I hear you are constantly seen drunk in the middle of the afternoon. (‘You … drunk’ is the Subjective Participial Construction.)

►The Subjective Participial Construction may be found:

• (1) after the verbs denoting sense perception, such as: to see, to hear, to notice, to watch, to observe (with Participle I and Participle II )

• She was seen trying on hats. Было видно/видели, как она примеряет шляпы.

• A minute ago he was seen engaged in a lovely conversation with a charming girl.

• But I hear you are constantly seen drunk in the middle of the afternoon.

• They were heard talking together. Было слышно/слышали, как они разговаривают.

• Sometimes she can be heard called Lady. Иногда можно услышать, что её называют Леди.

• He went out and was heard laughing in the hall.

• She could be observed rather alarmed at what had occurred.

• (2) after the verbs to find, to leave, to keep, to catch, to report, to show (with Participle I and Participle II)

• She was found waiting for her turn. Её застали ожидающей свою очередь.

• She was found dressed for the party.

• Then he was found barricaded in a little hut.

• He was left reading.

• The things were left undone.

• They were kept waiting. Их заставили ждать.

• I felt I had been caught boasting.

• Many houses were damaged, but no one was reported hurt.

• About that time a hurricane was reported moving out of the Caribbean in our direction.

• (3) after the verbs of mental activity: to consider, to believe, to think, (with Participle II )

• The picture was considered stolen.

• The problem is believed solved.

• Summary

◄► The Subjective Participial Construction ◄►

Function: Complex Subject

or according to another point of view – the nominal component is ‘the subject’, the verbal component is ‘part of a compound verbal predicate’.

▪ The Subjective Participial Construction is found:

smb smth	is was can be will be	1) after the verbs of sense perception: seen heard noticed watched observed	doing smth done (Participle I or Participle II)	He was seen turning round the corner. Видели, как он повернул за угол. She was heard singing. Было слышно, как она поет. Her name was heard mentioned. Было слышно, как упомянули её имя.
smb smth	is was can be will be	2) found left kept caught reported shown	doing smth done (Participle I or Participle II)	The children were found sleeping on the floor. Детей нашли спящими на полу. I was kept waiting two hours. Меня заставили ждать два часа./Меня держали в ожидании два часа. The dress was found torn. Платье нашли порванным.
smb smth	is was can be will be	3) considered believed thought	done (Participle II)	The boat was considered lost. Считалось, что лодка потерялась. She is considered cured.

◄ Exercises ►