B2 English Adjectives: Negative Attributes & Condition
This final section of our B2 adjectives list covers words with specific functions. It includes a comprehensive list of Negative Attributes like awkward, harmful, and nasty, as well as adjectives used to describe a State or Condition, such as compulsory, limited, and armed.
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Negative Attributes
| Word | Example Sentence | IPA (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| absent | John was absent from school yesterday. | /ˈæbsənt/ |
| complicated | The situation became more complicated when new evidence emerged. | /ˈkɒmplɪkeɪtɪd/ |
| confusing | The instructions were confusing and poorly written. | /kənˈfjuːzɪŋ/ |
| controversial | The planning committee approved a controversial development project. | /ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃl/ |
| conventional | The architect rejected conventional wisdom and designed something radical.
Word Partners: conventional wisdom
|
/kənˈvenʃənl/ |
| deadly | The outbreak of the deadly virus prompted international concern.
Word Partners: deadly virus
|
/ˈdedli/ |
| distant | The prospects for peace seemed increasingly distant. | /ˈdɪstənt/ |
| dramatic | The policy resulted in a dramatic reduction in unemployment.
Word Partners: dramatic reduction/change
|
/drəˈmætɪk/ |
| dull | The presenter's rather dull delivery failed to engage the audience. | /dʌl/ |
| failed | Analysts examined the reasons behind the failed merger. | /feɪld/ |
| harmful | Scientists warned about the harmful effects of prolonged exposure.
Word Partners: harmful effects
|
/ˈhɑːmfl/ |
| hidden | The investigation uncovered hidden connections between the companies.
Word Partners: hidden connection/agenda
|
/ˈhɪdn/ |
| incorrect | The minister admitted the initial figures were incorrect. | /ˌɪnkəˈrekt/ |
| inevitable | Many analysts believe that further regulation is inevitable. | /ɪnˈevɪtəbl/ |
| isolated | The village remains relatively isolated from major transport routes. | /ˈaɪsəleɪtɪd/ |
| mistaken | The initial assessment proved to be mistaken. | /mɪˈsteɪkən/ |
| mysterious | Police are investigating the mysterious disappearance of valuable documents.
Word Partners: mysterious disappearance
|
/mɪˈstɪəriəs/ |
| offensive | The tribunal found the comments to be offensive. | /əˈfensɪv/ |
| opposed | Trade unions remained strongly opposed to the reforms.
Word Partners: strongly opposed to
|
/əˈpəʊzd/ |
| predictable | The outcome of the election was entirely predictable. | /prɪˈdɪktəbl/ |
| risky | Experts warned that such investments were extremely risky. | /ˈrɪski/ |
| toxic | The factory was releasing toxic waste into the river.
Word Partners: toxic waste, toxic fumes
|
/ˈtɒksɪk/ |
| tragic | The inquiry examined the tragic circumstances surrounding the accident. | /ˈtrædʒɪk/ |
| unexpected | The results produced some unexpected findings that challenged existing theories.
Word Partners: unexpected outcome/findings
|
/ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪd/ |
| useless | Without funding, the equipment became useless. | /ˈjuːsləs/ |
State & Condition
| Word | Example Sentence | IPA (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| additional | The project requires additional funding beyond initial estimates. | /əˈdɪʃənl/ |
| based on | The decision was based on expert advice.
Word Partners: based on
|
/beɪst ɒn/ |
| compulsory | The course includes several compulsory modules on research methods.
Word Partners: compulsory education/modules
|
/kəmˈpʌlsəri/ |
| consistent | The data showed consistent patterns across all regions. | /kənˈsɪstənt/ |
| dependent | The region's economy remains heavily dependent on manufacturing.
Word Partners: heavily dependent on
|
/dɪˈpendənt/ |
| distinct | There is a distinct possibility that interest rates will rise.
Word Partners: distinct possibility
|
/dɪˈstɪŋkt/ |
| diverse | The university attracts students from culturally diverse backgrounds. | /daɪˈvɜːs/ |
| dominant | The company maintains a dominant position in the telecommunications market.
Word Partners: dominant position
|
/ˈdɒmɪnənt/ |
| external | The university appointed an external examiner to review assessments. | /ɪkˈstɜːnl/ |
| extraordinary | The scientist made an extraordinary contribution to the field. | /ɪkˈstrɔːdnri/ |
| fellow | The professor discussed findings with fellow researchers.
Word Partners: fellow researcher
|
/ˈfeləʊ/ |
| flexible | Employers increasingly offer flexible working arrangements.
Word Partners: flexible working
|
/ˈfleksəbl/ |
| gay | The organisation campaigns for gay rights and equality legislation. | /ɡeɪ/ |
| holy | Pilgrims visited the holy site during the festival. | /ˈhəʊli/ |
| identical | The twins looked identical to each other. | /aɪˈdentɪkl/ |
| immune | The vaccine makes recipients immune to the disease. | /ɪˈmjuːn/ |
| inner | Officials gained access to the president's inner circle.
Word Partners: inner circle
|
/ˈɪnə(r)/ |
| intended | The policy failed to achieve its intended objectives. | /ɪnˈtendɪd/ |
| internal | The company launched an internal investigation into allegations.
Word Partners: internal investigation
|
/ɪnˈtɜːnl/ |
| loose | The committee identified several loose ends in the proposal.
Word Partners: loose ends
|
/luːs/ |
| matching | The designer created matching sets of furniture. | /ˈmætʃɪŋ/ |
| mixed | The proposal received a mixed response from stakeholders.
Word Partners: mixed response/reaction
|
/mɪkst/ |
| neutral | Switzerland maintained a neutral position throughout the conflict.
Word Partners: neutral position
|
/ˈnjuːtrəl/ |
| obligatory | Attendance at the safety briefing is obligatory for all staff. | /əˈblɪɡətri/ |
| outer | Scientists explored the outer reaches of the solar system.
Word Partners: outer reaches
|
/ˈaʊtə(r)/ |
| plain | The minister made his views plain during the press conference. | /pleɪn/ |
| positive | The policy had a positive impact on employment rates. | /ˈpɒzətɪv/ |
| prime | The Prime Minister addressed Parliament on economic policy.
Word Partners: Prime Minister
|
/praɪm/ |
| probable | It seems probable that interest rates will rise. | /ˈprɒbəbl/ |
| relevant | Applicants must demonstrate relevant experience in the sector.
Word Partners: relevant experience
|
/ˈreləvənt/ |
| rid | The city aims to get rid of illegal parking.
Word Partners: get rid of
|
/rɪd/ |
| spiritual | Many people undertake the pilgrimage as a spiritual journey.
Word Partners: spiritual journey
|
/ˈspɪrɪtʃuəl/ |
| striking | The report revealed a striking similarity between the cases.
Word Partners: striking similarity
|
/ˈstraɪkɪŋ/ |
| surrounding | The factory polluted surrounding areas.
Word Partners: surrounding area
|
/səˈraʊndɪŋ/ |
| unique | The island's ecosystem contains several unique species. | /juˈniːk/ |
| universal | Access to healthcare should be a universal right.
Word Partners: universal right
|
/ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsl/ |
| upper | The reforms targeted the upper management structure. | /ˈʌpə(r)/ |
| urgent | The hospital issued an urgent appeal for blood donations.
Word Partners: urgent appeal/need
|
/ˈɜːdʒənt/ |
| valid | The court considered whether the contract remained valid. | /ˈvælɪd/ |
| victorious | The victorious team celebrated their championship win.
Word Partners: victorious army/team
|
/vɪkˈtɔːriəs/ |
| visible | The policy produced no visible improvement in conditions.
Word Partners: visible improvement
|
/ˈvɪzəbl/ |
| vital | It is vital that we address climate change urgently.
Word Partners: vital that
|
/ˈvaɪtl/ |
| voluntary | The organisation relies entirely on voluntary contributions.
Word Partners: voluntary contribution/work
|
/ˈvɒləntri/ |
| wealthy | The policy disproportionately benefits extremely wealthy individuals. | /ˈwelθi/ |
| widespread | The scandal prompted widespread criticism from the media.
Word Partners: widespread criticism
|
/ˈwaɪdspred/ |
