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Verbal adjective

Grammar
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A participle or verb form functioning as an adjective, modifying a noun.

Detailed Definition
A verbal adjective (or participial adjective) in poetry is a verb-derived modifier ending in -ed or -ing that functions descriptively, blending action and state; it enriches imagery by implying ongoing or completed processes (“the falling rain,” “the broken vow”), adding temporal depth and emotional nuance to static description.
Example
Example in poetry:
“The running water sang” — “running” as verbal adjective; “The weeping willow bowed” — “weeping” describes willow; “A broken heart heals slowly” — “broken” from verb “break”; “The setting sun painted the sky” — “setting” modifies sun.
Additional Notes
Verbal adjective = present/past participle used adjectivally (e.g., “burning desire”); common in poetic diction. Enhances dynamism—contrast with static adjectives for energy.
Also Known As
Participial adjective verbal modifier action descriptor -ed/-ing adjective Gerundive construction
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