Lesson 4

Feelings while living abroad: adjectives

Anxious

Calm

Comfortable

Confident

Curious

Depressed

Embarrassed

Enthusiastic

Fascinated

Insecure

Nervous

 

Suspicious

Uncertain

Uncomfortable

Worried

Ing and ED adjectives

There are many adjectives that we have in English that end in -ED or -ING. Yes, it really is correct, they’re not only endings that we use for verbs!

An adjective that ends in –ING is used to describe: the characteristic of a person, an element or a situation.

An adjective that ends in –ED is used to describe: a feeling (or how someone feels) or an emotion. It is used to describe a brief thing.

Since only people (and a few animals) have feelings, -ed adjectives can’t be used to describe an item or situation.

Compare the difference:

• My friend is bored. – (My friend feels bored)
  
• My friend is boring. – (My friend is a boring person)

You can use those adjectives to describe people or conditions but be cautious that you are using the appropriate

adjective. For instance, there’s a big difference in meaning between:

• I am confused. – (I don’t understand something)
• I am confusing. – (I will cause you to be confused)

Note that the sentences below are to focus on the difference between the two forms of adjectives. They are not

frequent to do or say due to the fact they sound repetitive.

• They were frightenedby the frighteningroller-coaster ride!
• I am annoyedby how annoyingthat person in front of us is.
• Sally was confusedby the confusingstreet signs in the city.

indirect questions

Use indirect questions when you’re asking for help in the street, because they are very polite. Indirect questions start with a phrase like ‘could you tell me…’ or ‘do you know…’. For example:

1) Statements

Edwin, I’m going to be late for class.

Indirect request:

Can you | tell Edwin (that) I’m going to be late for class?

Could you | tell Edwin (that) I’m going to be late for class?

Would you | tell Edwin (that) I’m going to be late for class?

2)Imperatives

Lisa, lend me your pencil.

Indirect request:

Can you | tell/ask Lisa to lend me her pencil?

Could you | tell/ask Lisa to lend me her pencil?

Would you | tell/ask Lisa to lend me her pencil?

1)Yes/no question

Manuel, are you going to the party?

Indirect request:

Can you | ask Manuel if/whether he’s going to the party?

Could you | ask Manuel if/whether he’s going to the party?

Would you | ask Manuel if/whether he’s going to the party?

Please ask Manuel if/whether he’s going to the party.

1)Wh questions

Matt, what time are you coming to study?

Indirect request:

Can you | ask Matt what time he’s coming to study?

Could you | ask Matt what time he’s coming to study?

Would you | ask Matt what time he’s coming to study?