To omit a relative pronoun

Question

Hi, I have a question about omitting a relative pronoun.

———————

The occupiers spray-painted pro-democratic slogans on the walls and tore down pictures of leading lawmakers before retreating after police used tear gas to disperse crowds gathered outside the building.

——————-

As far as I understand , in the last words of this paragraph, there is a relative pronoun between crowds and gathered, and it must be ‘subject’ relative pronoun, which can’t be omitted.

Can someone help me with this?

Is it NOT subject relative pronoun or is subject relative pronoun also be able to be omitted?

Thank you again!!

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

fort lee... to disperse crowds (which were) gathered outside the building.

In the given construction, gathered is not a past tense; it's a past participle.

The relative pronoun (which) is not the only thing missing. The auxiliary verb (were) that goes with the past participle (gathered) is also missing.

>>> It is OK to omit a relative pronoun and a form of be as a group before a participle.

That plane flying overhead is a Boeing 737 MAX. [present participle]
from That plane which is flying ...

The home damaged in the storm was being repaired. [past participle]
from The home which was damaged ...

It's easier to detect these constructions when they have a present participle and more difficult when they have a past participle because past participles are so often identical to the past tense form.

The construction that is forbidden is this one:

*The storm damaged the home was the strongest on record for the month of June.

The very special problem you have with your example is that we can say "The crowd gathered" or "The crowd was gathered". When you have a verb form that can be used both ways, it's wise to try both versions before you conclude that it's wrong.

The man headed for the bank.
The man headed for the bank wore a blue suit.

CJ

To omit a relative pronoun

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