A2business

Adjectives - Business English

Type your answer in each blank and press Enter to check it, or use Check answers below. A cue in (brackets) is the word to put in the right form.

Adjectives are describing words. They tell you more about a noun (a person, place or thing): a busy week, a difficult client, a clear email. In English you use an adjective in two main places. Before a noun: "We had a successful launch." After the verb "be" (and verbs like seem, look, feel): "The report is long." "She seems happy." A key rule for beginners: the adjective never changes for plural. You say "two new projects", not "two news projects". Watch the -ed/-ing pair too. Use -ed for how a person feels ("I am interested in the role") and -ing for the thing that causes the feeling ("The job is interesting"). Saying "I am boring" when you mean "I am bored" is a common and slightly embarrassing mistake in interviews and meetings. When you use more than one adjective, the usual order is opinion then fact: "a good new idea", not "a new good idea". Pitfall to avoid: do not add "very" before strong adjectives that already mean "very", say "The deadline is essential", not "very essential". Start by getting position and the -ed/-ing choice right; those two fix most errors.

Let's practise. Type each answer and press Enter, I'll check it with you.

  1. The new project is very (interest).
  2. I am (excite) about our meeting tomorrow.
  3. This quarterly report is quite (long).
  4. The client was (disappoint) with the results.
  5. Our office is very (modern).
  6. She is a very (skill) manager.
  7. The presentation was (bore), so I fell asleep.
  8. We need to find a (cheap) supplier.
  9. The deadline is very (close).
  10. He is an (ambition) employee.
  11. The negotiation was very (difficult).
  12. They are (happy) with the new contract.
  13. This email is very (short).
  14. The meeting room is (large).
  15. Our team is very (strong).
  16. The feedback from the boss was (positive).
  17. That is a (good) idea for the marketing campaign.
  18. The coffee in the breakroom is (hot).
  19. Mr. Smith is a (busy) man.
  20. The instructions are very (clear).
  21. We had a (success) launch yesterday.
  22. The budget is too (small) for this project.
  23. She gave a (profession) presentation.
  24. The new software is (use) for our team.
  25. The clients are very (patient).

Common questions

Where do you put an adjective in an English sentence?

In two places. Before the noun it describes: "a difficult negotiation", "a professional presentation". Or after the verb "be" and similar verbs (seem, look, feel, become): "The negotiation was difficult." "Your idea sounds good." The adjective stays the same whether the noun is singular or plural: "a strong team", "strong teams".

What is the difference between -ed and -ing adjectives, like bored and boring?

Use the -ed form for how someone feels: "I was disappointed with the results." "The clients are interested." Use the -ing form for the thing or situation that causes the feeling: "The results were disappointing." "This project is interesting." So "I am boring" means you bore other people; "I am bored" means you feel no interest. In meetings, you almost always want the -ed form for yourself.

Do adjectives change for plural nouns in English?

No. Unlike many languages, English adjectives have one form. You do not add -s to match a plural noun. Say "two new clients", not "two news clients"; "several useful tools", not "several usefuls tools". This is true before a noun ("long emails") and after "be" ("The emails are long"). One form, always.