Frightening vs. frightful

[Doberman]

Test No. incompl/inter-30 "Flying on a Plane", question 2

Landing is also a rather ......... experience, too.

(a) frightening
(b) frightened
(c) frights
(d) frightful

Test No. incompl/inter-30 "Flying on a Plane", answer 2

Landing is also a rather frightening experience, too.

Correct answer: (a) frightening

Your answer was: incorrect
Landing is also a rather frightful experience, too.
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Hello english teachers. Why frightful isn't fit?

[Alan]

Hi,

This could be just about acceptable but I don't think you would add 'rather' to this adjective. If you did, the meaning would be 'disgusting' and is normally used to describe behaviour. The emphasis is on the fact that the passenger is frightened.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice