（1）被动的、一般的或完成的动作
特点：
此时若将过去分词改成定语从句，则定语从句的谓语要用被动语态。
a.the exploited class = the class that is exploited
b.the oppressed nations = the nations that are oppressed
c.a respected writer = a writer who is respected
d.the broken cup = the cup that has been broken before
e.an annoyed man = a man that has been annoyed
f.trained employees = employees who have been trained before
g.boiled water = water that has been boiled
（2）主动的、完成的动作
特点：
1）由及物动词变来的过去分词才有被动意义，而由不及物动词变来的过去分词则不能表示被动，而只表示主动的、完成的动作。此时，过去分词一般表示一种完成的状态，而多数已失去了原动词的动作概念。
2）此时若将过去分词改成定语从句，则定语从句的谓语要用主动语态、完成时态。
a.fallen leaves = leaves that have fallen 　地上的落叶
b.a retired general = a general who has retired 　退伍的将军
c.faded colors = colors that have faded 　褪了的颜色
d.departed friends = friends that have departed 　久别的朋友
e.a developed country = a country that has developed　 发达国家
f.returned students = students that have returned from abroad 　归国的留学生们
g.a married man = a man that has married 　已婚男士
此外还有如vanished civilization（失落的文明）, the risen sun（升起的太阳）, rotten teeth（坏了的牙齿）, shrunken clothes（缩水的衣服）, sunken ships（沉没的船只）, escaped prisoners（逃犯）等。
综上所述，现在分词和过去分词二者的区别是：
1）从语态角度来看，现在分词表示主动意义，它与所修饰的名词构成主谓关系，如：
The man standing at the gate is my English teacher.
换句话说：The man who is standing at the gate is my English teacher.
而过去分词通常表示被动意义（不及物动词的过去分词除外），与它所修饰的名词构成动宾关系，如：the broken cup意思是“Someone broke the cup.”或“The cup was broken.”。

2）从时态角度来看，现在分词一般表示进行的动作，过去分词则表示完成的动作。