Present participle as reduced relative clause

Question

Hi, Are they all correct & grammatical?The bridge which connects the south and the north of the city has collapsed.The bridge connecting the south and the north of the city has collapsed.The boy who brings milk to us every day has been ill.The boy bringing milk to us every day has been ill.Can the present participle be used to express the meaning of permanent state in these contexts?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

oops, sorry, I left out this.....

Thank you very much indeed !!

Dimsumexpress · Answer

This is my take:

AnonymousHi, Are they all correct & grammatical?

The bridge which connects the south and the north of the city has collapsed.- Ok
The bridge, connecting the south and the north of the city, has collapsed. As punctuated.

The boy who brings milk to us every day has been ill. Ok
The boy bringing milk to us every day has been ill.
"Bringing" is a present participle. Grammatically, it's looks fine, but seems to sound awkawrd becasue in order to use present partcicple in the construction, the pertainent context needs to be in constant, contintual or perminent state.
Can the present participle be used to express the meaning of permanent state in these contexts? Typically Yes, but it also depends on context.

Anonymous · Answer

The boy bringing milk to us every day has been ill.

Can I say that this sentence is grammatically correct, but it is awkawrd & not natural?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

The boy bringing milk to us every day has been ill.

Can I say that this sentence is grammatically correct, Yes

but it is awkawrd & not natural? No, it doesn't sound unusual..

Clive

Present participle as reduced relative clause

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