Adjectives: -ed, -ing, Gradable, and Extreme

• We use -ed adjectives to describe how someone feels and -ing adjectives to describe the thing or situation causing that feeling. Gradable adjectives can be modified with 'very', while extreme adjectives already mean 'extremely' and take modifiers like 'absolutely'.
• Type
• Usage
• Example
• -ed Adjective
• Describes feelings
• The patient is exhausted after his shift in Boston.
• -ing Adjective
• Describes a situation
• The chest pain was alarming for the nurse in Chicago.
• Gradable
• Can use 'very'
• The discomfort in Seattle is very mild.
• Extreme
• Means 'very + adjective', uses 'absolutely'
• The renal colic in Houston was absolutely agonizing.
• Remember
• Use -ed endings for personal emotions and reactions.
• Use -ing endings for the source or cause of the emotion.
• Never use 'very' with extreme adjectives like 'excruciating' or 'agonizing'.
• Use 'absolutely' or 'completely' with extreme adjectives.
• Examples
• Dr. Smith felt exhausted after working at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
• The patient found the sudden stabbing pain quite worrying.
• Her medical condition was extremely painful, but the treatment was very good.
• The junior doctor was absolutely terrified during the emergency in New York.
• Common mistakes
• The pain was very excruciating.
• The pain was absolutely excruciating.
• The doctor was alarming by the symptoms.
• The doctor was alarmed by the symptoms.

Complete the sentences

• The attending physician at Mayo Clinic in Rochester felt completely (exhaust) ____ after the long night shift.
• Patient feedback from Cleveland Clinic in Ohio showed that the treatment was (absolute) ____ brilliant.
• The results of the blood test in Denver were quite (worry) ____ for the family.
• Nurse Emily was (terrify) ____ when the patient lost consciousness in Philadelphia.
• The junior doctor described the abdominal pressure as (extreme) ____ severe.
• Working in the emergency room in Los Angeles can be very (alarm) ____ for students.

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