不及物動詞的現在分詞作定語表達強調動作正在進行，過去分詞強調完成；及物動詞的現在分詞作定語強調主動，過去分詞強調被動。分詞的完成式一般不作定語。分詞作其他成分時，也是如此。分詞作定語，單個的分詞作定語一般前置；分詞詞組，個別分詞如given, left等，修飾不定代詞等的分詞，作定語需後置。
例如：
We can see the rising sun. 我們可以看到東昇的旭日
He is a retired worker. 他是位退休的工人
There was a girl sitting there. 有個女孩坐在那裡
This is the question given. 這是所給的問題
There is nothing interesting. 沒有有趣的東西
分詞作定語相當於定語從句，如Most of the people invited to the party were famous scientists. = Most of the people who wereinvited to the party were famous scientists.