Some adjectives beginning with a-, and a few others, are used | Learn English with us

Some adjectives beginning with a-, and a few others, are used mainly after linking verbs, especially be.

  Common examples:
ablaze, afloat, afraid, alight, alike, alive, alone, asleep, awake.

  Compare:

The baby’s asleep.
a sleeping baby (NOT an asleep baby)

The ship’s still afloat.
a floating leaf

 He was afraid.
a frightened man

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