Adjectives ending in -ed and -ing

-ed and –ing adjectives

Adjectives that end ‘-ed’ (e.g. ‘bored’, ‘interested’) and adjectives that end ‘-ing’ (e.g. ‘boring’, ‘interesting’) are often confused.

-ed adjectives

Adjectives that end ‘-ed’ describe emotions – they tell us how people feel about something.

• I was very bored in the maths lesson. I almost fell asleep.
• He was surprised to see Helen. She’d told him she was going to Australia.
• Feeling tired and depressed, he went to bed.

-ing adjectives

Adjectives that end ‘-ing’ describe the thing that causes the emotion – a boring lesson makes you feel bored.

• Have you seen that film? It’s absolutely terrifying.
• I could listen to him for hours. He’s one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met.
• I can’t eat this! It’s disgusting! What is it?

Remember that people can be boring but only if they make other people feel bored.

• He talks about the weather for hours. He’s so boring.
• NOT I was very boring at the party so I went home.

Here are some more adjectives that can have both an ‘-ed’ and an ‘-ing’ form

• amused
• amusing
• annoyed
• annoying
• confused
• confusing
• disappointed
• disappointing
• excited
• exciting
• exhausted
• exhausting
• frightened
• frightening
• satisfied
• satisfying
• shocked
• shocking

QUESTION

Choose the correct adjective in each sentence.

1. You look really (tired/tiring). Why don’t you go to bed?

a. Tired

b. Tiring

2. Sit down – I’ve got some very (excited//exciting) news for you.

a. Excited

b. Exciting

3. He’s got a very (annoyed/annoying) habit of always interrupting people.

a. Annoyed

b. Annoying

4. I’m very (disappointed/disappointing) by your behaviour.

a. Disappointed

b. Disappointing

5. Kids! You’re (disgusted/disgusting)! Don’t talk with your mouths full!

a. Disgusted

b. Disgusting 

Key

1. Tired

2. Exciting

3. Annoying

4. Disappointed

5. disgusting