-ed and –ing adjectives

-ed adjectives

We often confuse adjectives that end both in –ed and –ing. (interested or interesting, bored or boring etc.)

Adjectives that end in –ed describe emotions – they tell us about how a person feels about something or even their opinion about something.

I’m surprised to see you.
He’s interested in fashion
I was bored during the lecture.
I was tired so I went to bed.

-ing adjectives

-ing adjectives tell us why a person feels the way they do. A film that is exciting makes you feel excited.

She is the most amusing person I know.
My professor’s lectures are really interesting.
The way teenagers behave nowadays is so shocking.

So we can say:
He is bored with his life. His life is boring. But ‘He is boring because he always talks about his health problems.’ (so he makes me bored).

Here are some other adjectives that can take –ed or –ing

Lesson by Tristan

Now choose the correct adjective for these sentences.

• 1 - Why are you so ___? What happened to make you feel that way?
  
  annoyed
  annoying
  
  
• 2 - This safari sounds so ___. I can't wait to go.
  
  excited
  exciting
  
  
• 3 - Working and studying at the same time can be so ___.
  
  tired
  tiring
  
  
• 4 - I was ___ to see you here. When did you get back?
  
  surprising
  surprised
  
  
• 5 - This is so ___ . I didn't expect to see you here.
  
  surprised
  surprising
  
  
• 6 - Bringing up twins is just so ___.
  
  exhausting
  exhausted
  
  
• 7 - I was _ during the last scene in the film.
  
  terrifying
  terrified
  
  
• 8 - I love my job because it is so ___.
  
  satisfied
  satisfying