Past Participle Adjective List: Enhance Your English Skills with These Essential Examples

Introduction to Past Participle Adjectives
Past participle adjectives are an interesting component of English grammar, offering a way to describe nouns by using the past participle form of verbs. Typically, past participles are used to create perfect tenses or the passive voice, but they can also function as adjectives. For example, in the sentence "The broken vase needs to be replaced," the word "broken" is a past participle adjective describing the vase.
Duolingo English Test vs. TOEFL: Which One Is Better for You?How to Form Past Participle Adjectives
Most past participle adjectives are formed from regular and irregular verbs. The formation depends on the verb type:
- Regular Verbs: These verbs form their past participle by adding -ed to the base form. For example:
- Excite becomes excited
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Tire becomes tired
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Irregular Verbs: These verbs have unique past participle forms. For example:
- Break becomes broken
- Write becomes written
Common Past Participle Adjectives
Here is a list of commonly used past participle adjectives:
- Bored - From the verb "bore"
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She felt bored during the lecture.
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Interested - From the verb "interest"
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He is always interested in learning new languages.
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Confused - From the verb "confuse"
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The directions were so complicated that everyone was confused.
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Satisfied - From the verb "satisfy"
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They were satisfied with the service provided.
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Thrilled - From the verb "thrill"
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The kids were thrilled to see the fireworks.
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Frightened - From the verb "frighten"
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She was frightened by the loud noise.
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Delighted - From the verb "delight"
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We were delighted to receive the invitation.
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Exhausted - From the verb "exhaust"
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He was exhausted after running the marathon.
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Amused - From the verb "amuse"
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The audience was amused by the comedian's jokes.
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Charmed - From the verb "charm"
- The princess was charmed by the beautiful garden.
Using Past Participle Adjectives in Sentences
To use past participle adjectives correctly, place them before a noun or after a state of being verb (such as "is," "are," "was," "were"). Here are some examples:
- Before Noun: The excited children couldn't wait for Christmas morning.
- After State of Being Verb: The children were excited about the upcoming holiday.
In conclusion, understanding and using past participle adjectives can greatly enhance your descriptive ability in English, providing precise and expressive ways to discuss states and qualities related to nouns. Practice identifying and using these adjectives in everyday contexts to become more fluent in their use.
Past participle adjectives are adjectives derived from the past participle form of verbs. They often describe a state or condition resulting from an action. For many learners of English, understanding how to form and use these adjectives can help improve both writing and speaking skills. Here's a closer look:
Formation of Past Participle Adjectives
- Regular Verbs:
- For most regular verbs, the past participle is formed by adding -ed to the base verb.
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Example:
- bake → baked: "The baked cake smells delicious."
- paint → painted: "That is a beautifully painted portrait."
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Irregular Verbs:
- Irregular verbs do not follow a single pattern, so the past participle form must be learned for each verb.
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Example:
- break → broken: "The window is broken."
- choose → chosen: "She is the chosen representative for the event."
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Usage in Sentences:
- Past participle adjectives can describe feelings or reactions.
- Example:
- "She felt frightened during the storm."
- "He was excited about the trip."
Commonly Used Past Participle Adjectives
Here are some frequently used past participle adjectives you might encounter:
- Tired: "After a long day, I feel tired."
- Bored: "The lecture was long and boring, so I felt bored."
- Interested: "I am interested in learning more about history."
- Satisfied: "The customer was satisfied with the service."
- Confused: "The instructions were unclear, leaving him confused."
- Disappointed: "She was disappointed with the test results."
- Amused: "He was amused by the funny joke."

Key Points to Remember
- Agreement with Nouns: Past participle adjectives must agree with the nouns they modify.
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Example: "The broken vase needed to be repaired."
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Context and Meaning: The meaning of a past participle adjective can vary slightly depending on the context in which it is used. Always pay attention to the surrounding words for clear interpretation.
Understanding these key aspects of past participle adjectives will enhance your comprehension and expression in English.
Best Writing Strategies for the Duolingo English TestCommonly Used Past Participle Adjectives
In English, past participles often serve as adjectives to describe a noun or pronoun. Here is a list of commonly used past participle adjectives, along with their meanings and example sentences:
- Broken
- Meaning: Damaged or in pieces
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Example: The broken vase lay on the floor.
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Excited
- Meaning: Very enthusiastic and eager
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Example: The children were excited about the school trip.
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Bored
- Meaning: Feeling weary and impatient because one is unoccupied or lacks interest
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Example: He was bored during the long lecture.
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Tired
- Meaning: Feeling a need to rest or sleep
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Example: She felt tired after the long journey.
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Closed
- Meaning: Not open
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Example: The store was closed for renovations.
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Prepared
- Meaning: Ready for a situation; equipped with what is needed
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Example: She was well prepared for the exam.
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Confused
- Meaning: Unable to think clearly or to understand something
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Example: He felt confused by the complex instructions.
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Interested
- Meaning: Showing curiosity or concern about something
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Example: She was interested in learning more about photography.
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Disappointed
- Meaning: Sad or displeased because of unfulfilled hopes or expectations
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Example: He was disappointed not to win the contest.
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Frustrated
- Meaning: Feeling or expressing distress and annoyance
- Example: She was frustrated by the slow internet connection.
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Satisfied
- Meaning: Contented; pleased with how something has taken place
- Example: The teacher was satisfied with the students' progress.
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Spoiled
- Meaning: Decayed or damaged, especially food that is no longer good
- Example: The spoiled fruit had to be thrown away.
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Challenged
- Meaning: Faced with a difficult situation
- Example: He felt challenged by the new responsibilities at work.
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Worried
- Meaning: Anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems
- Example: She was worried about the upcoming exam.
Remember, when using past participles as adjectives, pay attention to the context to ensure they convey the intended meaning properly. These adjectives can enhance your descriptive skills and make your writing more vivid.
Duolingo Test PracticeExamples of Past Participle Adjectives in Sentences
Past participle adjectives are verbs that have been transformed to describe nouns, often conveying a completed action or state. These adjectives often end in -ed, -en, -d, -t, or -n. Here are some sentences to illustrate how they are used:
- Broken:
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The broken vase lay scattered across the floor.
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Excited:
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The excited children couldn't wait for the parade to start.
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Bored:
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She felt bored during the long lecture.
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Crestfallen:
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After hearing the bad news, he appeared crestfallen.
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Confused:
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The confused student asked for clarification on the assignment.
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Frightened:
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The frightened kitten hid under the bed during the thunderstorm.
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Tired:
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At the end of the day, the tired workers finally headed home.
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Stolen:
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The police recovered the stolen car quickly.
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Surprised:
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Everyone was surprised by the unexpected announcement.
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Satisfied:
- The customer left the store satisfied with her purchase.
By understanding past participle adjectives, English learners can enrich their descriptive language skills and express more nuanced ideas.
When studying English, you'll come across past participle adjectives frequently. These are derived from the past participle forms of verbs and are used to describe nouns. Here's how you can use them effectively:
- Understand the Formation:
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Past participle adjectives are usually formed by adding "-ed" to regular verbs (e.g., "bored" from "bore"). Irregular verbs have unique past participles (e.g., "broken" from "break").
-
Commonly Used Past Participle Adjectives:
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Some frequently used past participle adjectives include:
- Bored
- Confused
- Excited
- Tired
- Interested
- Terrified
- Shocked
- Worried
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Differentiate Between Emotion and State:
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Past participle adjectives often describe emotions or states. For example, "bored" describes an emotional state, while "closed" indicates the state of something.
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Contextual Use is Key:
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Use past participle adjectives to describe how someone feels (e.g., "She felt confused by the instructions.") or the state of an object (e.g., "The door is locked.").
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Can be Modified:
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Modify past participle adjectives with adverbs for intensity (e.g., "very excited," "completely shocked").
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Position in a Sentence:
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Typically, past participle adjectives appear before a noun (e.g., "the broken vase") or after linking verbs like “is,” “seems,” or “becomes” (e.g., "She is bored").
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Be Careful with Similar Verbs and Adjectives:
- Some verbs look similar to their past participle forms but have different meanings. Ensure you’re using the correct form appropriate for adjectives (e.g., "interested" vs. "interesting").
By understanding and practicing these tips, you’ll become more comfortable using past participle adjectives in your English writing and conversation.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a past participle adjective?
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