Brazilian Portuguese Grammar

Orações reduzidas de particípio

They are mostly used as an alternative to adverbial clauses (time, contrast and condition) and to adjective clauses, e.g:

Portuguese	English
As crianças, salvas pela polícia, foram entregues aos pais.	The children, saved by the police, were delivered to their parents.
Começado o filme, todos fizeram silêncio.	When the movie started, everybody became quiet.
Apesar de encurralado, ele não se rendeu.	Despite being trapped in, he didn't surrender.
Feita essa escolha, o gerente será suspenso.	If that choice is made, the manager will be suspended.
A casa destruída pelo fogo pertencia ao dono da mercearia.	The house destroyed by the fire belonged to the owner of the grocery store.