For any student studying ESL, adjectives are a game changer. For beginners, simply learning basic words is exciting but what happens when you reach intermediate level? Let’s look at an example:
If we asked an ESL beginner to describe this picture with an adjective, they might know the word ‘beautiful'. That’s fine, it is a beautiful picture.
Beginner - Elementary example:
She is looking at a beautiful view and she is happy.
Elementary - Intermediate:
The woman is enjoying a fantastic view and she’s feeling very relaxed.
Intermediate - Advanced:
In this photo, we can see a young woman looking out at a jaw-dropping, panoramic view. In all likelihood, she’s feeling very liberated from the daily stresses of life and enjoying a moment of solitude.
Summary of the descriptive ESL adjectives:
Jaw-dropping = surprising/amazing/shocking
If you have time, you should walk to the top of the mountain and enjoy the jaw-dropping view of Lake Como.
Panoramic = a view of a wide area
One of the most popular tourist destinations is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Most visitors pay to take the elevator to the top of the building in order to enjoy a panoramic view of the city.
Liberated = a feeling of freedom
I felt so liberated lying by the hotel swimming pool, sipping a cocktail.