EFLshorts

1. Adjectives describe nouns. Adjectives can be made from past participles and ‘ing’ participles.

2. An example of a past participle as an adjective

Here is an example of a past participle as an adjective in a sentence: ‘The broken window was replaced quickly‘. In this sentence, the adjective is ‘broken‘ because it describes the window. The sentence could be written differently using an adjective clause (which is in brackets):

‘The window (that was broken by someone) was replaced quickly‘.

As you can see, this form of adjective can often be written as a passive phrase.

3. An example of an ‘ing’ participle as an adjective

Here is an example of an ‘ing’ participle as an adjective in a sentence: ‘The falling snow was gathering quickly on the ground‘. In this sentence, the adjective is ‘falling‘ because it describes the snow. the sentence could be written differently using an adjective clause (which is in brackets):

‘The snow (that was falling at that time) was gathering quickly on the ground.’

As you can see, this form of adjective can often be written as an active phrase.

4. Look at this extract from Sweet tooth (Ch9) and see if you can find the past participle adjective:

Wendy found a space and parked the car opposite the lane. Shoppers and tired staff hurried past. The town centre was emptying, fast. But one kid, in a red hat and gloves, stood motionless.

5. Look at these sentences and decide which form of the participle should be used as an adjective

a. Wendy didn’t like Tracey’s (irritating/irritated) games. (= games that were irritating)

b. Wendy liked Mrs Morton’s (smiled/smiling) face.

c. Mr Links appeared suddenly with a (covering/covered) face.

d. Mr Links had a (shining/shone) head.

e. The mouthwash had a (disgusted/disgusting) taste.

f. Mr Shaw, the chemist, gave Wendy a (puzzled/puzzling) stare. He had no idea what she was talking about.

g. The (fascinated/fascinating) boy watched the train in the toy shop go around the track until his mother pulled him away.