verbal adjective
C1academic/linguistic
Definition
Meaning
An adjective derived from or related to a verb, typically describing a state or characteristic resulting from an action.
A part-of-speech category that functions as an adjective while retaining verbal characteristics, such as describing a noun by relating it to an action or process.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In English grammar, 'verbal adjective' is often synonymous with 'participle' (present or past participle used adjectivally). In broader linguistic theory, it may refer to adjectives derived from verbs through morphological processes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is primarily academic.
Connotations
Technical/descriptive in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in everyday speech; used almost exclusively in linguistic/grammatical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + -ing/-ed → verbal adjective (e.g., 'boring' from 'bore', 'excited' from 'excite')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Academic
In linguistic analysis, the term 'verbal adjective' categorises words like 'interesting' or 'broken' that modify nouns while implying an action.
Technical
A verbal adjective retains argument structure potential from its source verb, e.g., 'a frightening story' (story frightens someone).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The news will astonish the public.
- The mechanic repaired the engine.
American English
- The movie will thrill audiences.
- The storm damaged the roof.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- 'Tired' is a verbal adjective from the verb 'to tire'.
- In 'a broken window', 'broken' is a past verbal adjective.
- Languages like Japanese have extensive verbal adjective conjugation distinct from verbs.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'VERB-al' adjective – it's an adjective that comes from a VERB.
Conceptual Metaphor
ADJECTIVES ARE FROZEN ACTIONS (a verbal adjective captures a verb's action in descriptive form).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'причастие' (participle), which has a narrower, more inflectional sense.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'verbal adjective' to mean any adjective describing speech (that would be 'oral' or 'spoken').
- Confusing with 'adverbial'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a verbal adjective?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, only when it functions adjectivally to modify a noun. 'Walking' in 'She is walking' is a verb, but in 'a walking tour' it is a verbal adjective.
A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun (e.g., 'Swimming is fun'). A verbal adjective modifies a noun (e.g., 'a swimming pool').
Typically no. When an -ing form takes a direct object (e.g., 'frightening the children'), it is functioning as a verb in a non-finite clause, not as a pure adjective.
Most are, but some like 'antediluvian' or 'rapt' are not directly derived from a current English verb and are considered pure adjectives.