Unit 6: -ed and -ing adjectives

-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.

Activities

Choose the adjective that best suits each sentence. 

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

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

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

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

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

Kahoot