Participle clauses (-ing, -ed and being -ed)
A
We can give information about someone or something using an -ing, past participle (-ed) or being+past participle (-ed) clause after a noun in order to define or identify it. These clauses are often similar to definig relative clauses beginning which, who or that:
* We stood on the bridge connecting the two halves of the building.
OR We stood on the bridge which connects/connected the two halves of the building.
* The weapon used in the murder has now been found.
OR The weapon that was used in the murder has now been found.
* The prisoners being released are all women.
OR The prisoners who are being released are all women.

B -ing clauses
We often use an -ing clause instead of a defining relative clause with an active verb:
* The man driving the bus is my brother.
OR The man who is driving the bus is my brother.
* The land stretching away to the left all belongs to Mrs Thompson.
OR The land which stretches away to the left all belongs to Mrs Thompson.
* Police took away Dr Li and items belonging to him.
OR Police took away Dr Li and items which belong/belonged to him.

C
Sometimes, however, we can't use an -ing clause. For example:
() When there is a noun between the relative pronoun and the verb in the defining relative clause:
* The man who TIm is meeting for lunch is from Taiwan.
NOT The man Time meeting for lunch is from Taiwan.
() When the event or action talked about in the defining relative clause comes before the event or action talked about in the rest of the sentence, except when the second event or action is the result of the first. Compare:
* The snow which fell overnight has turned to ice.
NOT The snow falling overnight has turned to ice. and
* The snow which fell overnight has caused traffic chaos.
OR The snow falling overnight has caused traffic chaos.
() When we talk about a single, completed action in the defining relative clause, rather than a continuous action. Compare:
* The girl who fell over on the ice broke her arm.
NOT The girl falling over onthe ice broke her arm.
* I pulled off the sheets which covered the furniture.
OR I pulled off the sheets covering the furniture.

D Past participle (-ed) and being +past participle (-ed) clauses
We often use a past participle or being + past participle clause instead of a defining relative clause with a passive verb:
* The book published last week is his first written for children.
OR The book that was published last week is his first written for children.
* The boys being chosen for the team are under 9.
OR The boys who are being chosen for the team are under 9.

E
Sometimes, however, we can't use a past participle or being + past participle clause. For example:
() When there is a noun between the relative pronoun and the verb in the defining relative clause.
* The speed at which decisions are made in the company is worrying.
NOT The speed at which decisions made in the company is worrying
* The issue that club members are being asked to vote on at tonight's meeting is that of a fee increase.
NOT The issue being asked to vote on at tonight's meeting is that of a fee increase.
() When the defining relative clause includes a modal verb other than will:
* There are a number of people who should be asked.
NOT There are a number of people should be asked.

Copied from the book Advanced Grammar in Use