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Does the Past Participle just refer to the past tense?

The Past Participle can be used in any tense, so it might be easier to think of it as Passive or just 3rd form.

Look at how a Past Participle is used in the Past and Present tense here:

1. The building, (which was) built in the 1960s, is very ugly. (PAST Passive)
2.  The building, (which is) owned by the government, is very ugly. (PRESENT Passive)

You can take out the 'which is/was' to create a "Past Participle Clause", which adds more information about the subject, while remaining concise:

1. The building, built in the 1960s, is very ugly.
2. The building, owned by the government, is very ugly.

Practice

The most common Past Participles that are used in Participle Clauses are:

involved, required, based, concerned, made, obtained, given, produced, caused, taken and used.

Can you put the right words in the gaps? For example:

• The policy (which was) _____________ by the government, had a significant impact on the economy.
• The policy (which was) implemented by the government, had a significant impact on the economy.

1. The economic recession, (which was) ______________ by irresponsible lending practices, had an enormous impact on people's lives.
2. The government's policies, (which were) ______________ with social welfare, aimed to reduce poverty and improve living conditions.
3. The educational reforms, (which were) ______________ serious consideration by policymakers, sought to enhance the quality of classroom instruction.

Answers

1. The economic recession, (which was) caused by irresponsible lending practices, had an enormous impact on people's lives.
2. The government's policies, (which were) concerned with social welfare, aimed to reduce poverty and improve living conditions.
3. The educational reforms, (which were) given serious consideration by policymakers, sought to enhance the quality of classroom instruction.