Read Collins Cobuild English Grammar Online
Authors: Collins
…her big blue
frightened
eyes.
She could hear his
agitated
voice.
Barry gave him a
worried
look.
2.82
Here is a list of qualitative
-ed
adjectives that have a similar meaning to the most common meaning of the related verb:
agitated
alarmed
amused
appalled
astonished
bored
confused
contented
delighted
depressed
deprived
disappointed
disgusted
disillusioned
distressed
embarrassed
excited
frightened
inhibited
interested
pleased
preoccupied
puzzled
satisfied
shocked
surprised
tired
troubled
worried
Here is a list of qualitative
-ed
adjectives that do not have a similar meaning to the usual meaning of the related verb:
animated
attached
concerned
determined
disposed
disturbed
guarded
hurt
inclined
mixed
strained
classifying
-ed
adjectives
2.83
Many other
-ed
adjectives are used for classifying, and so cannot be used with words like
very
and
rather
. For example,
a furnished apartment
is one type of apartment, contrasting with
an apartment without furniture
.
…a
furnished
apartment.
…a
painted
wooden bowl.
…the
closed
bedroom door.
Most adjectives that refer to physical distinctions are classifying adjectives.
2.84
Here is a list of classifying
-ed
adjectives that have a similar meaning to the most common meaning of the related verb:
abandoned
armed
blocked
boiled
broken
canned
classified
closed
concentrated
condemned
cooked
divided
drawn
dried
established
fixed
furnished
haunted
hidden
improved
infected
integrated
known
licensed
loaded
paid
painted
processed
reduced
required
torn
trained
united
wasted
Here is list of
-ed
classifying adjectives that have a different meaning from the most common meaning of the related verb:
advanced
marked
noted
pointed
spotted
veiled
modifying
-ed
adjectives
2.85
Classifying
-ed
adjectives cannot normally be modified with words like
quite
and
very
. However, an
adverb of manner
, (see paragraphs
6.36
to
6.44
) or an
adverb of degree
, (see paragraphs
6.45
to
6.52
) is often used before an
-ed
adjective.
For example,
a pleasantly furnished room
is a room that has been furnished with pleasant furniture.
…
pleasantly furnished
rooms.
…a
well-known
novelist.
2.86
Some
-ed
adjectives are not often used on their own, and an adverb is necessary to complete the sense. You do not usually talk about
dressed people
, but you can say that they are
well dressed
or
smartly dressed
for example. The
-ed
adjectives in the following examples nearly always have an adverb in front of them.
…a
cautiously worded
statement.
…
impeccably dressed
men.
It was a
richly deserved
honour.
…
superbly cut
clothes.
…the existence of a
highly developed
national press.
…a
well organized
campaign.
…a tall,
powerfully built
man.
She gazed down at his
perfectly formed
little face.
Note that combinations like this are sometimes hyphenated, making them
compound adjectives
.
…a
well-equipped
army.
-ed
adjectives with an active meaning
2.87
A few
-ed
adjectives are related to the
-ed
participle of intransitive verbs and have an active meaning, not a passive meaning. For example,
a fallen tree
is a tree that has fallen.
…a
capsized
ship.
She is the daughter of a
retired
army officer.
…an
escaped
prisoner.
Here is a list of
-ed
adjectives with an active meaning:
accumulated
dated
escaped
faded
fallen
retired
swollen
wilted
-ed
adjectives after linking verbs
2.88
Most
-ed
adjectives can be used both in front of a noun and after a linking verb.
The
worried
authorities decided to play safe. My husband was
worried
.
A small number of
-ed
adjectives are normally only used after a linking verb. Often, they are followed by a preposition, a
to
-infinitive, or a
that
-clause.
I was
thrilled
by the exhibition.
The Brazilians are
pleased
with the results.
…food
destined
for areas of south Sudan.
He was always
prepared
to account for his actions.
Here is a list of
-ed
adjectives often used after a linking verb, with or without a phrase or clause after them:
convinced
delighted
interested
intimidated
intrigued
involved
pleased
prepared
scared
thrilled
tired
touched
Here is a list of
-ed
adjectives normally used after a linking verb with a phrase or clause after them:
agreed
destined
dressed
finished
lost
prepared
shut
stuck
BE CREATIVE
2.89
The
-ed
participle of almost any transitive verb can be used as an adjective, though some are more commonly used than others.
…she said, with a
forced
smile.
There was one
paid
tutor and three volunteer tutors.
The
recovered
animals will be released.
…the final
corrected
version.