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-ed and –ing adjectives

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-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

-ed -ing
annoyed annoying
astonished astonishing
confused confusing
disappointed disappointing
excited exciting
exhausted exhausting
frightened frightening
satisfied satisfying
terrified terrifying

Lesson by Tristan

Now choose the correct adjective for these sentences.

  • 1 - Why are you so ___? What happened to make you feel that way?



  • 2 - This safari sounds so ___. I can't wait to go.



  • 3 - Working and studying at the same time can be so ___.



  • 4 - I was ___ to see you here. When did you get back?



  • 5 - This is so ___ . I didn't expect to see you here.



  • 6 - Bringing up twins is just so ___.



  • 7 - I was _ during the last scene in the film.



  • 8 - I love my job because it is so ___.