2.81 Special forms: '-ed' adjectives

A large number of English adjectives end in '-ed'. Many of them have the same form as the past participle of a verb. Others are formed by adding '-ed' to a noun. Others are not closely related to any other words.

• ...a disappointed man.
• ...a bearded man.
• ...sophisticated electronic devices.

2.82

Adjectives with the same form as irregular past participles which do not end in '-ed' are also included here as '-ed' adjectives.

• Was it a broken bone, a torn ligament, or what?

The past participles of some phrasal verbs (see paragraphs 3.84 to 3.117) can also be used as adjectives. When they are used attributively, the two parts of the phrasal verb are usually written with a hyphen between them.

• ...the built-up urban mass of the city.

2.83

Most '-ed' adjectives are related to a transitive verb and have a passive meaning. They indicate that something has happened or is happening to the thing being described. For example, 'a frightened person' is a person who has been frightened by something. 'A known criminal' is a criminal who is known by the police.

• There are least one or two satisfied customers.
• We cannot refuse to teach children the required subjects.