Turning Adjectives into Verbs with “-en”

In English, some adjectives can be turned into verbs by adding the suffix -en. These verbs usually indicate the process of becoming or making something have the quality described by the adjective. Understanding how and when to use -en to form verbs can greatly expand your vocabulary and improve your communication skills.

How Does It Work?

When you add -en to certain adjectives, the word becomes a verb that either:

1. Describes a change in state (for example, becoming something).
2. Describes an action where you cause something to change (for example, making something become a certain way).

Common Examples:

1. Adjective: Wide → Verb: Widen
   • Meaning: To make something wider or become wider.
   • Example: “The city plans to widen the streets to reduce traffic.”
2. Adjective: Deep → Verb: Deepen
   • Meaning: To make something deeper or become deeper.
   • Example: “They need to deepen the river to prevent flooding.”
3. Adjective: Weak → Verb: Weaken
   • Meaning: To reduce strength or become less strong.
   • Example: “His illness weakened him considerably.”
4. Adjective: Soft → Verb: Soften
   • Meaning: To make something softer or become softer.
   • Example: “She used conditioner to soften her hair.”
5. Adjective: Short → Verb: Shorten
   • Meaning: To make something shorter or become shorter.
   • Example: “The tailor will shorten the pants to fit you.”

Patterns and Exceptions:

• Not all adjectives can be turned into verbs using -en. For example, adjectives like beautiful or happy do not have -en verb forms. There is no verb form like beautifen or happien.
• Some adjectives already have their own verb forms without needing -en, such as strong → strengthen or long → lengthen. In these cases, we use a slightly modified form, but the concept is similar.

Special Cases:

• Some verbs in English have an -en ending but are irregular or don’t follow the typical pattern. For example:
  • Adjective: Red → Verb: Redden
    • Example: “His face reddened in embarrassment.”
  • Adjective: Black → Verb: Blacken
    • Example: “The smoke blackened the walls.”
• In some cases, the opposite process happens. For example, instead of adding -en to make a verb, English often uses other forms or entirely different verbs to describe the process:
  • Adjective: Hard → Verb: Harden
    • Example: “The concrete needs time to harden.”

Tips for ESL Students:

1. Practice with common adjectives: Start by learning the most frequently used adjectives that can become verbs with -en, such as widen, soften, shorten, and deepen.
2. Be aware of exceptions: Remember that not all adjectives will work with this pattern, so it’s important to check and practice regularly.
3. Listen for these verbs: Native speakers use these verbs frequently in daily conversations, so try to notice how they are used when listening to English.

By learning how to turn adjectives into verbs with -en, you’ll increase your flexibility and range in English. The more you practice, the easier it will be to recognize and use these forms.